Love and Everything That Goes With It

by Buffy Writer

Copyright © 2006

feedbacktome@hotmail.com

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Not mine – please don't sue.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse:  http://mysticmuse.net
My Site: http://www.angelfire.com/vamp/bwriter/
Anyone else, just ask.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Spoilers: Yeah, there are.
Author's Notes: /indicates Buffy's demon talking to her/ and 'her reply'.
Pairing: Willow/Buffy

Part one

Buffy looked at the outside of the club and wondered again why Angel wanted to meet in a club of all places. Angel. She hadn't expected to see him for a long time.

Making her way into the club Buffy felt a tingle run up the side of her neck. Frowning she wondered what it was but it was gone as soon as she realized it was there.

Going up to the bar she ordered a drink before going to sit at a nearby empty table. She had been sitting thee for around thirty minutes when a shadow fell over the table. She knew who it was before even looking up.

/oh thank god/

Buffy tried to bury the voice in her head that she had had to learn to live with and looked up knowing Angel was there. Her demon was only ever happy to see one person, er demon, and it was him. Her Sire.

"Buffy."

"Hey Angel."

Buffy motioned him to sit but he declined.

"There's someone I want you to meet."

Buffy looked up at the man she had spent the best part of her existence with before standing and following him.

He led her over to a table near the dance floor which had Five other people sitting at it.

She watched as Angel leaned down so he could speak into one girl's ear so he could be heard over the music. Buffy heard him though as if he had spoken it to her.

"This is the one I was telling you about."

The girl raised her head and locked eyes with Buffy.

Buffy sucked in a breath and looked up at Angel. Why would he take her to a Slayer? Did he hate her that much?

/well you are a spoil sport/

Buffy backed away from the table, seeing that all eyes were on her.

"Buffy wait."

Buffy looked into her Sire's eyes and froze. It hadn't been a request and she could do nothing but obey him.

Buffy watched as the Slayer stood and walked over to her, an unreadable expression on her face. She stopped a foot away before looking Buffy up and down.

"So you're Buffy then?"

Buffy inhaled and caught Angel's scent all over the girl, though they hadn't been intiMate yet.

"Yeah and you are?"

Buffy saw Angel frown in the background but the Slayer smiled before sticking out her hand.

"I'm Faith. The Vampire Slayer, but then, you already knew that didn't ya?"

Buffy shook her hand while nodding her head.

Faith could see that the Vampire before her was confused and felt a little sorry for her.

"Come and sit with us, there's piles of room."

Buffy looked at Angel to see his reaction before following the Slayer of all people over to her table.

Faith sat and noticed the looks the others were sending Buffy. They didn't know who she was and given their reaction to Angel, Faith intended to keep it that way.

"Guys this is Buffy. She's an old friend of mine from Boston and she's just moved out here."

Buffy turned confused eyes to the Slayer but went alone with her story, thinking that maybe her friends didn't know about the whole Slaying gig.

"Nice to meet you all." Buffy let her gaze wander the table taking in each of its occupants before her eyes landed on the redhead sitting in the corner.

/wow/ For once, Buffy agreed with her demon,

Angel noticed where Buffy's stare was going and shot her a look of warning which she saw.

Buffy averted her eyes before looking back to the table in general, trying not to look at the redhead.

"Okay this is Xander, that's Cordy, Oz and Willow."

Buffy nodded at each one not letting her eyes linger on the girl she now knew was called Willow.

"So Buffy, how come you moved here?"

Buffy looked at Xander who had asked her but didn't know what to say. Luckily Angel jumped in.

"Her…father…is here, she came to visit."

Buffy threw him a look when he said father and he regretted it straight away, thinking about what had happened to her human father.

/now that was a good time! Blood everywhere. I was amazing even if I do say so myself/

Buffy closed her eyes against the memories the demon was throwing at her but they still came.

A touch on her shoulder startled her and she let out a low growl that only Angel heard.

"Easy. Cordy asked you a question."

Buffy turned back to the table after giving Angel one last glare.

"Sorry what?"

Cordy sighed before repeating herself.

"If your friends with Faith, how come you came over with Angel?"

Buffy looked to the Slayer for help, her demon laughing in the background at the irony of it all.

"Angel met her last night and spotted her when she walked in so he went to get her."

Buffy finished her beer before deciding that she needed another. She stood up told Angel and the Slayer she was going to the bar and walked away.

Angel shrugged at Faith before following her.

When he reached her he grabbed her arm to get her to stop.

Buffy turned and growled at him making him back off.

"What's wrong?"

Buffy actually laughed at that, but it wasn't a happy one.

"What's wrong? I've been alone for over a hundred years, hardly any human contact and you bring me to a club to meet the *Slayer* and her friends and then you go and use that god damned Sire's command on me back there and you ask what's wrong?!?"

She turned not waiting for an answer, knowing he was right behind her.

"Beer. You want anything?"

"No." The bartender came back with her drink and Buffy threw the money on the bar.

"I'm sorry."

Buffy turned and looked at her Sire. He wasn't the same as he had been, neither was she but she knew that his demon was still there, as was hers and the demon in her recognized its Sire.

She raised a hand and stroked his face before taking her drink.

"It's okay. So why did you want me to meet your girlfriend?"

"She's not…I don't know what she is."

Buffy gave him a sympathetic look.

"But you want her to be, that and more. What I mean but was why did you seek me out when I got here? I wasn't planning on staying if you were worried. I was just passing through."

Angel could tell Buffy was lonely. He knew the feeling and he hated that it had been partly his fault that she felt that way.

"Something's coming but we don't know what and it's something big. There's a prophecy that tells of a return. Someone old and powerful. We know it's going to happen soon and I wanted to ask you to stay a while and help us beat whatever this thing is."

Buffy drained her beer before laying her hands flat on the bar in front of her.

"How bad?"

Angel knew what she was asking.

"Apocalyptic."

Buffy looked back over to the table to see the whole gang watching them. Her eyes caught Willow's and Buffy sucked a breath in at the innocence she could see in those green eyes.

Turning back to Angel Buffy saw that he had followed her line of sight and he was know frowning at her.

"What?"

"Buffy, don't. I know what your thinking and I'm telling you know. Leave her alone."

Buffy drew back and drained her beer.

"You know nothing about me. You know exactly what my demon is thinking but you have no idea what I'm thinking."

She turned to leave when he grabbed her arm roughly.

"Stay away from Willow."

It was a command and Buffy nodded her head before walking away.

Angel heard her answer as she left the club.

She was staying.

He walked back to the table and all conversation stopped.

"She's in."

Faith nodded her head and turned to face the gang.

"Seems Buffy's gonna be here a while."

"You two seemed cozy for only meeting. It doesn't add up. She's Faith's friend yet it was you not her that went after her." Cordy as usual had no tact.

Angel didn't know how to respond as his eyes swept the group, before resting on Willow.

"You're quiet tonight."

Willow looked up from her drink. It was true, she had been quiet. She just wasn't in the mood to party tonight.

"Sorry guys I'm just not feeling great tonight. Think I'm gonna just call a cab a go home."

"You okay Will?"

Willow looked over to her best friend, other than Xander of course.

"Yeah Faith I'm fine, you guys enjoy the rest of your night."

Willow left with promises to phone Faith's cell the minute she got home so they knew she made it safe. She went over to the payphone and called for a cab before being told that it would be at least an hour.

Willow sighed before telling them it didn't matter and she left the club to start walking home, her hand resting against the cross in her pocked and a stake in her bag.

Buffy watched the group from the other side of the club. She was too far away to hear what they were saying but she could see Willow's lips moving and knew she was going home. Buffy followed. Angel said to stay away from her, but Buffy couldn't. She wouldn't talk to her but she would make sure she got home safely.

Willow was two blocks away from her house when a Vampire grabbed her. She let out a scream before her mouth was covered and her arms pinned behind her back.

She felt fangs at her neck and closed her eyes, thinking it was the end.

As quickly as the Vampire had grabbed her he was gone. Willow looked all around her but saw no one. She picked up her bag that she had dropped and ran the rest of the way to her house.

Buffy stepped out of the shadows and watched her run before taking off after her, keeping far enough away so she wouldn't hear her.

When she saw that Willow was safe inside she left.

/that was a crappy kill. Go hunt something I haven't had a good kill in ages/

'Shut up'

Buffy walked the rest of the way to the motel she was staying in. Looking around the room she knew she would have to find somewhere better if she was staying for a while.

Going over to the fridge she pulled out a packet of blood and ripped it open with her fangs before feeding, grimacing at the taste.

Walking over to the bed she stripped off her clothes before crawling under the covers and closing her eyes.

Her eyes flew open when she heard a knock at the door. Glancing at the clock she saw that two hours had passed.

She got out of bed and wrapped the blanket around her before opening the door.

"Angel."

She stepped back and let him in.

"I told you to stay away from Willow."

Buffy opened her mouth to explain but he cut her off.

"I'm glad that you didn't listen to me. She would have been dead tonight if you hadn't been watching out for her."

Buffy sat down on the bed.

"How'd you know it was me?"

Angel half smirked before he sat beside her.

"You just told me."

Buffy rolled her eyes at him before lying back on the bed.

Angel followed her example.

"What would the Slayer think if she found us like this?"

Angel closed his eyes.

"She'd dust you and castrate me. I missed you."

Buffy rolled over and took his hand in hers.

"I missed you too."

Both could feel their demons trying to rise to the surface and they broke contact.

"So why are you here other than the Willow thing?"

Angel rolled onto his side facing her and looked around the room.

"Faith and I were talking and we think that you should stay with me. I have enough space for the both of us so we can move around during the day and you can't stay here while you're in Sunnydale."

Buffy closed her eyes.

"Okay."

Angel was surprised.

"Okay? That's it? I thought you'd throw a fit."

Buffy turned with her back facing him and when she spoke it was barely above a whisper but he heard her loud and clear.

"I'm tired of being on my own."

He pulled her into his arms and they fell asleep that way, him spooning her.

Part two

A few days had passed and Buffy had moved into the mansion with Angel. She was glad the place was big as it meant she could do more than stretch her legs during the day.

"Ready?" Angel was standing at the garden doors ready to go when Buffy looked over to him.

"Yeah."

They meet Faith at the largest cemetery in Sunnydale and found her in the middle of a fight with three Vamps. Buffy went to intervene when Angel stopped her.

"Wait."

Buffy turned back to the fight to see Faith stake the biggest one first before moving onto the other two demons.

/no self respecting Vamp should be enjoying this/

'I never claimed to be self respecting'

/isn't that the truth/

Buffy focused on the fight to see another Vamp get staked and watched as the last one ran away.

Faith looked from the stake in her hand to the retreating Vampire before shrugging and throwing it with deadly accuracy.

"Hey guys."

Buffy watched as Angel bent down to give Faith a kiss but her head snapped up when she heard voices approaching.

She left the love birds to it and took off in the direction of the voices. As she got nearer she recognized Willow's.

"…Cordy be nice. She just moved here."

"Yeah but she's been moving on Angel since she got here and she's supposed to be Faiths friend."

Buffy was about to make her way back to Angel and Faith when she saw a demon sneaking up behind the group of humans.

Jumping into action she tracked the demon before going after it.

Willow, Cordy and Xander saw a blur of blonde hair before they heard sounds of a fight.

All they saw was a blonde haired girl fighting a demon.

Xander turned when he heard footsteps a stake at the ready. Seeing Angel and Faith he lowered his arm and waved them over.

"Damn it."

Angel was about to join the fight when Faith pulled him back.

"I wanna see what she can do."

Angel nodded before turning back to watch his childe fight.

Buffy was having a blast. The only drawback was the smell of the demon. It smelt like rotten eggs.

"God what the hell are you?"

The demon paused as if thinking of an answer and Buffy used its distraction, sweeping a leg out and knocking it off balance.

Angel threw her his sword with she caught without looking, leaving the gang open-mouthed.

Buffy swung the sword in an arc taking the demons head clean off before standing and jumping away to avoid the demon goo that was splattering the area around the body.

Buffy handed Angel back his sword and turned to see everyone staring at her.

"So you're just an old friend of Faith's then?" Cordy's question broke the trance everyone seemed to be in.

Buffy shrugged her shoulders. That was Faith's story, she could fix it.

/god that felt good/

Silently Buffy agreed with her demon.

Looking at the Slayer she wondered what she was gonna say to pull this off.

"She is an old friend. I taught her how to fight when I first became the Slayer."

Xander looked put out.

"How come you taught her and not us?"

Faith rolled her eyes at him before turning to Buffy.

"Good fight B."

Buffy smiled, thought Willow thought it looked forced.

"How about we cut this patrol short and go to the Bronze?"

Faith's suggestion was agreed by all and Angel and Buffy simply nodded their heads.

"Great."

"Wait, even with training she looked pretty strong. What is she on steroids or something?"

Buffy smirked at Cordy before walking away with Angel, playfully bumping him with her shoulder when he congratulated her on the fight.

The gang arrived at the Bronze and Buffy headed straight to the bar to get a drink.

"Does she have a drinking problem?"

Angel threw Xander look before going asking Faith what she wanted to drink and following Buffy.

"Guys give her a break yeah?"

Cordy and Xander nodded their heads grudgingly and Willow smiled before taking Faith's arm and taking her over to a table.

"You okay?"

Buffy looked over her shoulder at Angel before turning back to the bar.

"I'm good. Drink?"

"Beer and a coke."

"What about the others?"

Angel looked back over to the table before turning back to Buffy.

"Get them cokes to."

As Buffy ordered the drinks Angel headed back over to the table.

"Buffy's getting in the drinks."

Faith got up before taking Angel's hand.

"Lets dance."

"Oh good idea come on Xander."

The two couples left leaving Willow at the table waiting for Buffy.

When Buffy got back she looked around to see everyone but Willow on the dance floor.

She sat the tray of drinks down before taking hers and handing Willow's her coke.

"Thanks."

Buffy gave her a smile before turning to watch her Sire make a prick out of himself trying to dance.

"So how long have you known Angel?"

Buffy was so caught up in his dancing she answered not thinking of the consequences.

"Close to three hundred and fifty years."

It took Buffy a second to realize what she h said and she turned to look at Willow who was looking at her with a smirk on her face.

"I knew that story was fake."

Buffy took a drink of her beer before speaking.

"How?"

"You act more like Angel's friend than Faith's."

Buffy finished her beer and starting peeling off the label.

"So what are you?"

Buffy looked up to see Willow leaning close to her.

"Vampire."

Buffy watched as Willow moved away from her as if she had been burnt.

/You and your big mouth/

'shut up I knew it was coming anyway'

Willow watched the Vampire before her tear nervously at her beer bottle before putting her hand over both of Buffy's to get her to stop.

Buffy looked up when she felt Willow's hands covering hers.

"What's up?"

Buffy was going to answer when Angel came over. She pulled her hands away from Willow's trying not to notice the look Willow threw at her.

"Buffy can I speak to you for a minute outside?"

She could tell her was pissed with her.

"Sure."

She followed him out and stepped back when he turned on her.

"I told you to stay away from her."

"Everyone left! What did you want me to do?"

Angel paused and Buffy continued.

"Where the hell do you get off giving me orders anyway? You aren't my Sire. Not anymore, you made that perfectly clear."

Angel stepped back as if she had hit him.

"I…I did what I thought was best."

Buffy could tell he believed that but she didn't want to hear it.

They hadn't noticed that Willow had come out after them.

"You left me in the middle of a field! I had no idea what was happening and there was a horde of humans chasing me with very sharp weapons!"

Angel lowered his head and saw Willow standing at the clubs door looking at them, he went to stop Buffy but she had already turned having smelt Willow.

"Ah guys, you might want to get in here."

They followed her and both Vampires froze when they entered.

"You feel that?"

Buffy nodded her head and without thinking grabbed Willow's hand to keep her near.

They made their way over to Faith and the others to see the Slayer also on alert.

"What is that?"

Angel shook his head but Buffy was too busy staring at the stage. She had felt this before but she couldn't place where.

The lights went out. The crowd in the club started running for the exit, not knowing what was happening.

Buffy pulled Willow closer and her human face gave way to the demon beneath, seeing Angel had done the same.

On the stage she saw something shimmer before the lights came back on.

She looked over to her Sire throwing him a look as if to say "what the hell".

She heard Xander's exclamation of "fuck" before Willow was pulled from her.

She turned wondering what was wrong when Angel gestured to her face.

Buffy felt her ridges before she switched out of game face.

"Oops."

Angel gave her a half smirk but never said anything.

"She's a Vampire!?!"

Xander was holding Willow and Cordy behind him but Buffy's attention was on the stage.

"Angel, you take left."

He followed her and broke off to the left as she took right. They met in the middle of the stage and reached out with their senses but found nothing.

"There was something."

Angel nodded his head and they headed back to the others.

"We have to go over to Giles. He just called and said he wanted us over now. Something about the book translating itself. He sounded like he'd been gypped."

They arrived at Giles place and went in, not noticing that Buffy was left on the doorstep.

/see they don't really want you here/

Buffy ignored her demon and sat on the bench outside. Just as she sat the door opened.

"Sorry. Giles come here a minute."

Giles went over to join Faith at the door and saw a blond girl sitting on the bench outside his apartment. When she looked at him he took a step back knowing who it was.

"Faith why is she here?"

Faith looked from Giles to Buffy who looked just as confused as her.

"It's a long story but could you please invite her in?"

Giles looked at his Slayer as if she had gone daft.

"Tell me your joking. Please."

Faith shook her head and Giles sighed.

"Fine. Come in Buffy."

Buffy walked into the apartment and stopped just inside before turning to face Giles.

"How did you know me?"

He made his way over to the drinks cabinet and poured a large scotch before draining it in one.

"Watcher's are trained by reading about the most vicious of creatures. Next to The Master, and Angelus, you were the most vicious I had ever heard of. Vampire and demon alike."

Angel lowered his head knowing he was to blame for that in part and Buffy saw. Her demon was feeding her images of the *fun* it used to have and she tried very hard not to throw up.

"I…I got nothing I can say to that except that everything they ever told you? I did worse. Much worse."

Faith tried steering the conversation back to the reason Giles called them in the first place.

"Just before I rang you the book…well it translated itself onto that page."

He showed them his pages of notes and sure enough the whole thing was covered in writing that the gang knew didn't belong to Giles.

"So what's it say then?"

Giles picked up the sheet of paper before clearing his throat and starting to read.

Everyone looked at Giles when he finished waiting for more.

"That's it."

Faith plopped down onto a chair as did everyone else but Buffy who stood looking out the window.

They jumped when she spoke, her voice sounded hollow.

"One of Light – that would be Faith. Two of shadow I'm guessing that's Angel and me."

Giles took off his glasses before cleaning them.

"Well we don't really know about you yet do we?"

Buffy turned to face the Watcher.

/I'm hungry/

Buffy ignored her demon and picked up the sheet of paper reading over it.

"Buffy's staying to help with this so I'd say that labels her a player in the prophecy." Giles had never heard Angel defend anyone other than Faith and even then he never used that tone with him.

Buffy walked back over to the window and Willow tracked her with her eyes, which Buffy tried to ignore.

/damn Angel! Just take her already/

'no go away'

/not going to happen. I'm stuck with you and your stuck with me and right now we are agreeing on that little redhead there/

The others watched as Buffy paced in front of the window.

/look at her god what I'd give to sink my teeth into her/

Buffy mentally slammed up every wall she could in her head but it was no use. The demon was to much a part of her.

/yeah, that'll work/

The gang jumped when they heard a growl come from Buffy. Angel walked over and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You okay?"

"Just gets a little crowded in here sometimes."

Angel knew exactly what she meant and he gave her a squeeze before backing off to stand beside Faith.

Buffy, not knowing that all eyes were on her, wrapped her arms around herself taking what little comfort her could.

Willow watched her with sad eyes. Angel saw the expression on her face and decided to lay off Buffy. If she wanted to pursue a thing with Willow he would step back and let her.

Part three

Things had been quiet the past week. They had a month before the prophecy kicked in and then Giles figured they had maybe a week after that before the battle.

Buffy had been spending more and more time with the gang and was starting to get used to being around humans again.

Xander and Cordy were still a little off with her but she couldn't really blame them.

It was a Friday night and the gang was meeting at the Bronze.

Buffy had told Angel to take Faith out and she would handle patrol which was why she was walking around town by herself.

Spotting Willies up ahead she decided to go in and see if he had any information.

Angel had told her if anyone knew this town inside out it was Willie. She hadn't been before but figured she knew what to expect.

Walking in she made a beeline for the bar. Willie had just finished serving a customer so he was free.

"What'll it be?"

Buffy took a look around and noticed a few demons looking over at her curiously.

"Beer."

As he got her the drink he tried making small talk.

"New in town?"

Buffy nodded her head but gave nothing else away, before taking her drink and giving him the money.

"So, there are a few bars in SunnyD why go to one where you are considered an appetizer?"

Buffy heard a few demons snicker but ignored them.

/there are vamps in this room and they can't sense a Master?/

Her demon had been quiet tonight. She found it got vocal when a certain redhead or Angel was about. Most of the time it annoyed the hell out of her but tonight it was quiet.

"I was told that you were the person to come to if I needed some info."

Willie wiped down the bar, casting an eye over the various demons and Vamps that were there tonight.

"Well that all depends."

Buffy finished her beer before looking up at him.

"On what?"

"First, on who told you this, second, why would I want to help and third…there is no third just the first two."

Buffy smirked at him and let her demon flash him for a second.

Willie just about managed not to step back. He hadn't known it was a Vampire in front of him and he was worried about what she was gonna do to him.

"First, and I believe you know him, it was Angel." She paused to let that sink in and was glad when she saw fear flash in his eyes.

"Second, you really don't wanna know what I'll do if you don't tell me what I want to know."

Willie gulped and nodded his head.

Buffy smiled before asking him if he knew anything about the prophecy with giving him any details.

"Haven't heard of any lately can you be any more specific?"

"No."

Willie sighed before seeing the expression on Buffy's face.

"Give me a few days."

Buffy flashed him her fangs again before walking out of the bar and heading over towards the Bronze to check and make sure everything was okay. That and maybe catch a peek at Willow.

Angel had taken her aside a few days ago and told her that he'd lay off her and try to stop giving the commands. Buffy wondered why he suddenly changed his mind.

As she neared the club she slowed her pace and headed around to check out the back alleys hoping to find a demon worthy of a good fight.

It was a bust. Not one Vampire or demon to be found.

Entering the club she got herself a drink before searching for the gang. It didn't take long to find them, well some of them at least.

Faith and Angel were nowhere to be seen but Xander, Cordy, Oz and Willow were all sitting at a table with someone she didn't know sitting beside Willow and tugging on her arm. Even from here Buffy could see the grimace of pain on Willow's face and the anger of Xander's.

/fuck no! get the hell over there now!/

'already moving'

Making her way over to the table Buffy set her beer down on the table making sure to get everyone's attention. She almost laughed at the look of relief on Xander's face. It had to be the first time he was glad to see her.

"There a problem here?" There was ice in Buffy's words though she was able to *just* keep the growl out of her voice.

Xander smirked at Todd. He was a senior at school with them and into all the wrong things. Xander, Willow and Cordy had known him most of their lives and from kinder-garden he had picked on Xander and Willow.

Seemed he wanted a shot at Willow now and she had already told him no.

Xander had his head flushed down many toilets because of that jerk and he was actually hoping Buffy lived up to her demonic nature.

"No problem here. Me and Will are just gonna go have a dance or two." Buffy really wanted to wipe that smarmy grin off his face.

"Really? Doesn't look like Willow is too interested."

Buffy looked at Willow and their eyes caught. Buffy tried not to vamp out at the expression of helplessness on Willow's face. It didn't work. She growled and vamped so quickly everyone missed it.

"Oh she wants to, she just likes playing hard to get."

Buffy watched as the boy again tugged trying to get Willow up with him and decided that it had gone on long enough.

Moving to stand beside the boy she laid her hand on the hand that was tugging on Willow's arm and applied pressure.

Xander watched as Todd threw Buffy a dirty look before the pain set in. Xander took a lot of pleasure seeing him close his eyes and scrunch his face up in agony.

/break his arm, hell break him/

Buffy's mind wandered as her demon conjured up images of the boy in pain, screaming in agony. She snapped back when she heard the very real whimper of pain.

Flashing him a grin she applied more pressure before lifting him up out of his seat and tossing him on his ass.

"Next time I see you anywhere near anyone at this table…do you know how many bones are in the human body?"

Todd, lay on the floor wondering how in the hell this girl had done that to him and shook his head no.

Buffy gave him a chilling smile.

"You hand has twenty seven bones. I will break each and every single one before I break the remaining one hundred and seventy nine."

Buffy watched as Todd swallowed hard before crawling backwards to get away from her.

She dismissed him and turned to face Willow.

"You okay?"

Willow gave her a half smile though Buffy could see that she was shook up.

"Man Buff, that was amazing!"

Buffy gave Xander a funny look. He never gives her the time of day when she's being nice but once she gets a little grouchy he gives her a compliment.

"I need the bathroom" Mumbled Willow before leaving.

Buffy took one look at Xander and set off after her. As she saw Willow enter the girl's bathroom she waited outside in the corridor.

She only had to wait a few minutes and Willow came back out, jumping slightly when she saw Buffy.

"What?"

Buffy took one look at the puffy eyes and knew Willow had been crying.

Pushing off the wall she had been leaning on she raised her hand before letting it fall back to her side.

"Are you okay?"

Willow sniffled but nodded her head.

"Yeah, but I think I'm gonna have a bruise."

Buffy's eyes flashed before she raised her hand and pushed back the sleeve on Willow's sweater to reveal a large man-hand shaped bruise.

/bastard/

"Bastard."

Willow lowered her head.

"I think I'm just gonna head home. Tell the guys I'll see them tomorrow for me?"

Buffy shook her head.

"You tell them and then I'll walk you home."

Her tone brooked no arguments and truthfully Willow would be glad of the company.

The walk home was made in silence. Buffy kept her senses open to danger and watched Willow at the same time while Willow rubbed her arms starting to feel the cold which Buffy noticed.

Taking off her knee length leather jacket, Buffy wrapped it around Willow's shoulders.

"Better?"

Willow smiled her first genuine smile since the incident with Todd.

"Yeah thanks. You won't get cold?"

At Buffy's raised eyebrow Willow answered her own question.

"Right Vampire."

Buffy playfully knocked Willow with her shoulder, causing Willow to retaliate then make a dash for it, Buffy in hot pursuit.

Willow rounded the corner ahead of Buffy and stopped dead in her tracks. Buffy, who was rounding the corner, bumped into her before grabbing Willow so she wouldn't fall and looked up.

"Damnit! It was quiet all night." Buffy was pissed. Her fun with Willow was cut off because of the Vampire that was currently backing it's prey into an alley.

Buffy turned to Willow before looking back over to the Vampire and scanning the area they were in. About ten feet off the ground there was a ledge that would comfortably hold five people.

Buffy turned and wrapped her arms around Willow, relishing in the feel of her body pressed so close to her own.

Taking a running leap Buffy made the jump before setting Willow down and making sure she was okay then she turned and jumped down again to face the Vampire who had finally noticed that it had an audience.

"I don't share, get your own meal."

Buffy rolled her eyes and cast a glance up at Willow before turning her attention back to the Vampire.

"I don't share either but that's not why I'm here."

Turning to the would be victim Buffy continued. "Now would be a good time to leave and think again before walking alone this time of night."

The Vampire watched open mouthed as its dinner ran away then looked at the blonde standing in front of him.

"That one was mine. Guess I'll just have to take yours."

Buffy didn't like that idea one bit. Vamping she charged the other Vampire sending him flying into the far wall.

Willow heard the crunch of his head against the brick wall and cringed.

The Vampire was dazed and when he looked up all he saw was a stake coming towards him.

Looking up at Willow she gestured her to jump down and she would catch her.

"Buffy it's ten feet!"

Buffy gave her a look.

"Do you trust me?"

Buffy froze, she hadn't meant to say that.

Willow froze because she didn't know how to answer.

Buffy took Willow's silence as a no and was about to jump up and get her when she saw a ladder leading from the side of the ledge to the ground.

She pointed it out to Willow who climb down. Buffy couldn't help but stare at Willow's ass the whole way down.

/grab her as she comes down, you know you want to feel it/

Buffy got ready to catch Willow in-case she fell but shouldn't have bothered as she landed safely.

They both looked at each before setting off again, the easy way from earlier now gone.

Before long they arrived at Willow's and stood facing each other.

Willow remembered she was wearing Buffy's coat and started to take it off when Buffy stopped her.

"Keep it. It looks better on you."

Willow smiled and blushed before saying goodnight and heading in.

Buffy watched her before calling her name.

Willow turned waiting for her to speak.

"If that boy comes near you again, let me know." It wasn't what she wanted to say but it's what came out.

Buffy watched as Willow went into her house before turning and leaving.

/god you always fuck it up! You had to ask that stupid question/

Buffy closed her eyes trying to block the thought but knew it was true.

She headed home but stopped from entering when she detected the smell of sex. Seems Angel and Faith were having fun.

Buffy really wasn't in the mood to listen to that and headed out again.

She didn't know where she was going and just wandering around town.

She found herself back at the Bronze at one in the morning. The club was closing and she could see Xander and Cordy beginning to walk home.

Buffy kept to the shadows following them when a group of about six stepped out in front of them. They were human and one them was the boy who had hurt Willow.

"Xander. Where's the blonde?"

Xander stopped and pushed Cordy behind him.

"She's not here."

Buffy moved closer and when she saw the knife in one guy's hand she stepped into view. Xander hadn't seen her but he did see the knife.

"Guys why not put the knife down yeah?"

All he got was laughed at.

The group spotted Buffy and the laughter died.

Buffy stepped up to stand beside Xander. She gave him a look as if to say "are you alright" which he understood and he nodded his head.

Buffy turned to face the gang and singled out the boy from earlier.

"How's the hand?" He gulped and stepped behind his friends.

"Fine Bitch."

Buffy raised her eyebrow but didn't comment.

Reaching out she grabbed the knife and took it from the one who was holding it.

Raising it to eye level she saw that it was larger than a knife but nowhere near the size of a machete.

"Nice knife."

/stop making small talk. Kill someone already!/

The guy she had taken the knife from stepped forward but got a punch to the face that sent him sprawling a few feet for his trouble.

"Todd what did I say earlier?" Buffy never give him the chance to answer. "I said that I would hurt you if you ever went near these people and yet here you are."

Buffy took a step forward and Todd took one back. The rest of his friends were staring at the boy Buffy punched. He was over six foot and a body builder. They looked at Buffy before looking over to Todd.

"Your on your own here man! That chick is seriously fucked up."

Buffy sent Todd a smirk before turning to face his 'friends'.

"Run. Now." They didn't have to be told twice.

Todd looked around as his friends vanished and was about to do the same when Buffy grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the ground.

Xander didn't know what to do. He wasn't sure how far Buffy would take it.

Buffy fought for control of her demon. All it wanted to do was kill the human boy who had marked Willow.

They may not like her much but Buffy considered the Scoobies her friends and she didn't like people hurting her friends.

/fuck the friend issues and just snap his neck already/

Todd looked into the golden eyes of the girl before him and watched in horror as her teeth turned to fangs. The he did something he hadn't done since he was five.

He peed his pants.

Part four

Xander stepped forward when he saw Buffy Vamp out. Cordy tried pulling him back but he shook her off. Raising his hand he rested it on Buffy's shoulder, glad when she didn't growl at him. Or worse.

"Buffy."

His voice cut through the red haze that had settled over her.

She looked at the boy she was holding by the neck and saw the fear of in face and smelt it coming off him in waves. Her demon was doing a happy dance in her head and Buffy dropped him before stepping back.

"Get out of my sight and stay the fuck away from now on. Next time I see you, you die." The words were growls and Todd nodded before running away.

Xander backed away from the angry Vampire, watching as she calmed herself down.

"You okay?"

Buffy looked over at Xander before shaking her demon off and nodding her head.

"Come on, I'll walk you home."

Xander took Cordy's hand and followed Buffy, staying a few steps behind.

Buffy stopped before turning to face them.

"Who was he?"

Xander caught up with her, pulling Cordy with him.

"Todd Clover. He used to pick on me and Will but after the whole leather thing with Vamp Willow he got it into his head that he had to have her."

Buffy stopped and forced them to stop by placing her hand on Xander's arm.

"Leather. Vamp Willow?"

Xander told Buffy all about how the Vampire double of Willow had been brought to their dimension by a spell and how they sent her back.

Buffy listened and pictured a leather clad Willow.

/she would make a beautiful demon/

'never gonna happen, not on my watch'

"There but for the grace of getting bit." She whispered the words to herself but Xander heard.

The next week passed quickly. The gang were enjoying the summer break, spending most of the days at the beach or park, soaking up the sun.

The two Vampires of the group didn't have that option and spent most of their free time during the day researching with Giles or sparing.

That's what they were doing when the gang came by, having just gotten back from the beach the girls were in shorts and string vests while the guys were in shorts and tee-shirts.

They entered the library to the sight of Buffy and Angel trading blows.

The research table had been moved to the front of the library to give them more space and that's were the gang sat down to watch, no-one making a sound.

The two Vampires were aware that the humans of the gang were now there and decided to put on a show.

Buffy nodded to Angel's raised eyebrow and they went all out.

Fists flew and were blocked followed by kicks. Some landed and some didn't and neither could gain the upped hand until out of the corner of her eye Buffy spotted Oz leaning over to whisper something into Willow's ear. Willow's top made Buffy pause.

That split second was all Angel needed and he took her down with a well placed kick to the chest.

Buffy flew back and banged into the banister that ran along the top floor. Angel followed her and offered her a hand up which she took.

"Good fight."

Angel had seen Buffy get distracted by Willow and knew that if it happened in a real fight, she would be dust and he wasn't one bit happy about it.

Holding in his temper in front of the gang he spoke very quietly for only Buffy's ears. He had forgotten how good Faith's hearing was.

"Get it together. Stop drooling over Willow and concentrate. If this had been real you'd be dust."

Buffy heard the anger in his voice and knew that he was worried. She also knew he was right. If it happened it happened yet she didn't really worry about getting dusty.

Faith's eyebrows reached her hairline when she heard that. She hadn't known the Vampire had feelings for her best friend and Angel hadn't said a word to her about it.

Looking over at her friend she saw her listening to whatever Oz was saying in her ear. Faith thought back on how the two had acted when they had dated.

Willow had been shy about the relationship while Oz had been his usual self. Everything was going fine until the incident with Willow and Xander.

She and Oz hadn't gotten back together after that though Xander and Cordy had worked everything out.

Before meeting Willow's Vamp double, Faith would have never even thought that she might be gay or at least bi.

Faith looked between Buffy and Willow and decided that she would keep an eye on things. She still didn't fully trust Buffy and she didn't want to see her best friend hurt. She also didn't like that Buffy was so close to Angel. She didn't even know the story of their history together because he had never said anything. She was worried they had been lovers at one point.

The two Vampires joined the gang at the table and Angel noticed Faith's frown.

"What's wrong?"

Faith looked around and saw everyone was now watching her.

"Nothing."

Buffy left shortly after the gang arrived. She knew she didn't have a shot at Willow, what with her dating Oz but it didn't mean she had to sit and watch them being all cozy together.

Angel follow Buffy out, kissing Faith goodbye and promising to meet the gang later at the Bronze.

Buffy stopped outside the school when she felt her Sire approach her.

"You okay?"

Buffy nodded her head that she was.

"How long have they been dating?"

Angel threw her a look wondering who she was talking about.

"Xander and Cordy?"

"No Willow and Oz."

He got it now. She was jealous. He knew how Buffy's demon got when it was jealous or possessive and was never more glad than that moment that she had her soul.

"They aren't. At least not anymore." He proceeded to fill her in on the dating history of the gang.

Something had been nagging Buffy and she decided to ask Angel about it.

"Did you meet her Vampire double?"

Angel nodded his head but said nothing causing Buffy to prod further.

"She was…different. She had the whole leather look going for her. She must have been powerful, the Vamps she meet here were scared of her and I didn't like the way she looked at Faith."

Buffy gave him a funny look at that.

"You mean because, being a Vampire, she wanted to eat her?"

Angel smirked.

"In a way."

He laughed at the look on Buffy's face when she realized just what he was saying.

Buffy was woke up the next day when she heard voices in the main room. Getting up she threw on some clothes and left to greet the Slayer and Willow.

When she reached the room Faith was sitting on the couch and Willow was sitting at the fire place.

"Hey."

Willow jumped, she hadn't known that either Buffy or Angel would be up at this time. It was still two hours 'til sunset. Faith however knew that the Vampire was there and greeted her.

"Hey B."

Buffy made her way to the kitchen to heat up some blood, fidgeting when the pair followed her in.

"You want anything?"

"Coffee." Was the Slayer's reply.

"Willow?"

Willow looked away from the microwave that was currently heating up Buffy's blood and shook her head no.

Buffy busied herself with making Faith's coffee and ignored the microwave when it beeped.

Faith watched Buffy and could tell that she was uncomfortable about eating in front of them, though Faith thought it had more to do with eating in front of Willow.

She had gone through this with Angel when they had first started dating and figured she'd help Buffy out a little.

Opening the microwave she brought out the bag of blood before cutting it open and pouring the contents into a mug.

Willow watched this and understood what Faith was trying to do, sending her a smile that Buffy couldn't see.

Buffy took the mug off Faith and handed her the coffee before they headed back out to the main room.

"What's up? You two don't look so happy."

Willow looked at Faith and Faith nodded that she should tell.

"You remember that guy from the other night?"

Buffy did and so did her demon. Her eyes flashed and both girls saw it.

"Well he was found early this morning by police. His throat had been ripped out."

Buffy took all this in. She didn't really care one way or the other and she wonder why they were telling-

"You think it was me." It was a quiet statement.

They exchanged guilty looks, giving her her answer.

Buffy suddenly wasn't hungry anymore and set her mug down just a Angel walked in.

"That for me?" He pointed to the mug and Buffy gave it to him.

He looked around the faces and knew something was wrong.

"What's with the long faces?"

"They think I killed someone." Buffy was able to get the words out but she didn't know how.

She had thought that they would at least give her the benefit of the doubt by now but they seemed to have declared her guilty.

Angel looked to Faith.

"Explain."

She did. He already knew about the incidents with the boy and when Faith had told him of the killing he looked at Buffy.

As a demon, she wouldn't have hesitated to kill the boy, he knew that better than anyone, but with the soul…they had enough blood on their hands, she wouldn't add to it. Would she? He wasn't so sure where Willow was concerned.

"Did you do it?"

Buffy threw Angel a hurt look. Out of everyone she thought that he at least would believe her.

Standing up she walked over the fireplace and watched the flames, wondering who had lit it in the first place.

"Would it really matter?" If they didn't trust her then why were they keeping her around? Oh yeah, prophecy on its way and a world in peril.

Angel stayed where he was. He looked at Faith and asked her how the boy died.

"He had his throat ripped out and every bone in his hands broke."

Buffy's back stiffened. No wonder they thought it was her. Hell if she didn't know better she would probably think it was her.

Angel threw Buffy a glance. He had to be sure.

"Childe. Did you kill him?" A question that demanded an answer.

"No Sire." She never hesitated to give him his answer.

Angel sat back, happy she was telling the truth.

"She's not the killer."

Buffy turned then.

"Pity it took a Sire's command to demonstrate that, which by the way you said you wouldn't do anymore."

Buffy took one look at each face before leaving the room and going to her bedroom.

/should have killed the asshole when we had the chance/

'NOT NOW'

Throwing on some going out clothes, that consisted of a pair of faded jeans and a tank top, Buffy grabbed her coat before going back into the main room.

There was just one problem she realized when she got there. The sun wasn't going to set for another two hours.

/idiot/

She bent down by the fire and picked up her book before turning and starting to head back to her room when she was called, turning she saw Willow sitting there on her own.

"Where's Angel and the Slayer?"

"Kitchen."

Buffy sat down on the couch but not to close to Willow.

"Sure you wanna be alone with me?" asked Buffy.

"I felt guilty." Willow didn't want to answer that question. She didn't have the answer but she did know that she was drawn to the demon beside her and she didn't know why.

Buffy turned and sat so she was facing her.

"About?"

"Todd. If you had killed him, then you did it in part because of me."

Buffy sighted and threw the book onto the table before making herself more comfortable.

"I wanted to. When I had him pinned to the wall, I nearly did. Xander stopped me. But even if I had it wouldn't have been your fault. Don't feel guilty for something you had no control over."

Willow sent her that little half smile she loved.

"Why?"

Buffy was thrown by the question and it showed on her face.

"Why did you want him dead."

"Because he hurt you." The words were out before Buffy could take them back so she carried on. "And he was going to hurt Xander and Cordy."

Willow thought over what Buffy had said.

"That doesn't really answer the question."

Buffy ran her hand through her hair, she wasn't used to talking about her feelings.

"I've never really had friends, well apart from Angel and even that's pushing it the past hundred years or so, but when I came here, I saw how you guys helped each other, how you cared. How you tried. I was starting to feel like one of the group, I mean I know I'm not, not really, once this prophecy thing blows over, there won't be much use for me and I understand that I do its just…never mind, you don't need to listen to me go on."

Willow looked the Vampire before her with new eyes. She had read some of the things that had been written about her in Giles books which was why she was finding it hard to trust her, but the person before her was a stark contrast to the one she had read about.

"What?"

Buffy was lost in old memories and it took her a second to realize that Willow was talking to her.

"Sorry what?"

Willow smiled before saying, "That's what I said."

Buffy seemed to understand her and thought back over what she had just said, trying to find what she wanted to say in words and not emotion.

"I don't belong in your world. I wish to god that I did but I don't, that's why I isolated myself all these years. Can't be a demon and can't be a human."

Willow heard the sadness in her voice and tried to make her feel better.

"But you had a purpose, I mean you came here. The powers sent someone to you just like they did Angel, so see, they do care."

She had meant to cheer Buffy up, but she watched as a tear slipped from her eye before she could stop it.

"They don't care. Angel yes, me no. Nobody came to ask me to make something of myself, I was just passing through and had good timing. No "fight evil, work for redemption" for me. I can never make up for the things I've done no matter what I do. If nothing I do matters, then all that matters is what I do. 'cause that's all there is, the here and now. Angel may be redeemable but I'm not."

Buffy got up and left the room just as Angel and Faith came back in, both having heard what she was saying.

/nice speech moron/

'go to hell'

Angel looked at Willow who had tears in her eyes, to Faith, whose own eyes were moist and headed after Buffy.

Knocking on her door he waited for her to answer, when she didn't he opened the door and went in.

Buffy was standing by the book shelf searching for something.

"Are you okay?"

Buffy snorted.

"Stop asking me that."

Angel sat on her bed and waited for her to join him.

"You really believe everything you just said?"

Buffy shrugged her shoulders and lay down.

"They came for you, not me so I guess they believe it enough for all of us."

Angel didn't know what to say to that so he laid back and rested beside her.

"You ever feel old?"

Buffy turned her head to face him and waited for his answer.

"I'm over three hundred years old. There are times when I feel my age. How about you?"

Buffy stared at the ceiling thinking.

"I don't know why I'm here. I feel like I'm just existing. The demon constantly wants out and the fight to keep it in gets harder and harder the older I get."

Angel heard the loneliness in her voice and more guilt was heaped onto his shoulders.

"I made a mistake and I'm sorry for it. I should never have left you there. I knew what was happening and I just left you to deal with it alone."

Buffy rested her hand against his cheek and heard the beginning of tears in his voice.

"It's not your fault. None of it."

"I made you a demon, I'd say a lot of it is my fault."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Angel opened it to see Willow on the other side.

"Faith wasn't feeling good so she left. She asked me to tell you."

Angel looked back at Buffy.

"Go."

He nodded his head before kissing her on the forehead and leaving.

Willow watched the scene with accusing eyes.

"How is he gonna go after her if it's still day?"

Buffy opened her eyes to see Willow standing stiffly at her bedroom door.

"He'll take the tunnels and track her scent."

Willow nodded her head that she understood and stood there not knowing what to do.

Buffy saw this and sighed before standing up and putting her shoes back on.

She led the way back to the main room.

"How come you never went with her?"

Willow stood up before moving to the door.

"I'll go."

/Damnit stop her!/

"Wait!"

Willow paused before turning back to face Buffy then made her way back to the couch and sat.

Now that Buffy had her back, she had no idea what to say. Her demon had told her to do something and she had done it. She wasn't sure on whether or not to be worried about that or not.

Part five

Willow watched Buffy. She could see that there was something going on inside her head but had no idea what.

Buffy looked up to see Willow watching her.

"What?"

"Why did you call me back?"

Buffy lowered her eyes before looking up again.

Willow saw something in them but couldn't name it. Or didn't want to.

"I didn't want you to go."

"Oh."

Both sat in silence before Willow couldn't take it anymore.

"Faith's getting jealous."

Buffy scrunched up her face.

Willow had to pry her eyes away.

"Of what?"

"You, more specifically you and Angel."

Buffy pulled her feet up under herself and rested her head on her knees.

"Why?"

Willow copied Buffy's pose and told how Faith was jealous about how close Buffy and Angel were and that she thought that they were once more to each other.

Willow wasn't telling her this to upset Faith, she was telling her because she didn't want her best friend to be upset over something that may or may not have happened in the past.

Buffy watched Willow blushed when she said "lovers".

/innocent in every way. I'm gonna love steering her around the curves/

"We were never lovers. Angelus had Darla for that. We were always close before we got our souls back but never that close."

Willow's stomach rumbled making her blush.

Buffy stood up and motioned Willow to follow her into the kitchen.

"Angel keeps food here for Faith. We have Pizza and cold Chinese food."

Willow wrinkled her nose at the Chinese food and opted for the Pizza.

Buffy put it in the microwave and set the timer before asking Willow if she wanted a drink.

"Coke if you have it."

Buffy nodded and poured her a drink, pouring one for herself as well.

"I've never seen Angel eat or drink normal food."

Buffy looked at the glass of coke in her hand to the redhead sitting at the table.

"He's a Vampire, to us blood is normal food, but I get your point. I like the caffeine."

Willow giggled, thinking of her own reaction to too much caffeine.

Angel arrived back to see Buffy and Willow sitting on the couch avidly talking. It was good to see a smile on Buffy's face, Willow's too.

"Hey guys."

Both looked up when they heard his voice. Buffy could tell there was something wrong just by looking at him and asked him if he was okay.

"Faith's got it into her head that me and you are…"

He trailed off but both knew what he was saying. Buffy moved away from Willow, only just noticing how close they had gotten and stood up.

"I'll go speak to her. I'm sorry Angel, I never meant to cause any friction. Maybe it would be best if I just left."

Angel shook his head no.

"There's no point leaving. The prophecy should be kicking in soon and your leaving when it's over so there's no need to move out but could you say something to Faith?"

Buffy gave him a small smile before turning to Willow.

"Walk you home?"

Willow grabbed her coat, said goodbye to Angel and followed Buffy out.

Willow kept throwing looks at Buffy as they walked. It was surprising how pleasant it was being in the Vampire's company.

Buffy caught Willow staring and wondered what was going on in her mind.

"What?"

Willow jumped before guiltily moving her eyes away, intriguing Buffy.

"Really what?"

Willow answered the question with a question.

"Are you really leaving when this is all over." She was sorry she asked when she saw the sad look come over Buffy.

"There's no reason for me to stay." It was said quietly and Willow got the impression that the opposite was true.

"If you did would you stay?"

Buffy threw Willow a look and waited until their eyes meet before saying yes she would stay.

The rest of the journey to Willow's house was made in a comfortable silence.

"This is your stop."

Willow turned to face Buffy.

"Yup. I see ya later or tomorrow."

Willow started walking away before she stopped and turned back.

"For what it's worth? I trust you." She never gave Buffy the chance to respond and went inside leaving a grinning Buffy behind.

The talk with Faith was going well. Buffy had convinced her that she wasn't trying to steal Angel off of her but also let slip that she had the hots for Willow.

Faith stopped walking and turned to face the now nervous Vampire.

"Could you maybe forget I said that?" She was pleading and Buffy never begged to anyone.

Faith got a wicked smirk on her face and walked on, heading through the doors of the Bronze, an anxious Buffy following.

"Hey guys."

Everyone was there apart from Oz and Angel.

"Faith did Buffy find you?"

"Yeah Will, she's here somewhere." Faith starting looking around and saw Buffy at the bar.

"Over at the bar."

Willow's eyes were drawn there and Faith got the impression that the attraction Buffy felt was returned.

Buffy felt someone staring at her and turned to see who it was, her mouth dropping open in shock.

"Lou?"

The woman smiled and stepped forward hugging Buffy.

"Hey kid. Long time huh?"

Buffy's mouth opened and closed a few times but no words came out. Lou was the only person that ever called her Kid. It was funny considering that Lou was younger than Buffy.

Lou wasn't a Vampire. Buffy wasn't sure what she was but she knew she was immortal.

Willow saw the beautiful dark haired woman wrap Buffy in a hug and she frowned when Buffy returned it before she saw them heading over to the table.

Buffy saw Willow staring and could have sworn she saw jealously shoot through her eyes for a split second.

Taking Lou's hand she led her over to meet the gang that now included Angel.

When he saw Lou he stood up and gave her a hug before moving, gesturing for Buffy to take his seat, which she did though she gave him a funny look wondering why he had done that.

She got her answer when she noticed that she was beside Willow and that Willow was giving Lou the evil eye.

Buffy couldn't believe that Willow was jealous. She leaned over and whispered into her ear knowing that none would hear over the noise in the club.

"She's an old friend. Nothing more."

Willow turned her head to look at Buffy and they both froze. Their mouths were only a few centimeters apart.

/lean forward and kiss her already!/

Lou looked over to see what was happening and nudged Angel.

"When'd that happen?"

Angel followed her gaze and smiled.

"It's just starting to happen."

Part six

Neither could look away. Buffy was trapped. Her demon was telling her one thing and her head was telling her another.

Willow froze not knowing what to expect and not knowing what she wanted to expect.

A cough interrupted them and both looked away, Willow blushed and Buffy turned her attention to the scratch mark on the table.

"So, wanna introduce us then?"

Buffy had nearly forgotten about Lou.

"Sorry. Guys this is Lou. Lou this is Faith, Xander, Cordy and Willow. You already know Angel."

Lou nodded to each member of the gang, her gaze lingering on Willow, causing Buffy to shoot her a glare.

Lou stifled her grin and turned to Faith.

"So your the Slayer then." It wasn't a question and Faith looked at both Buffy and Angel to see who had told her that. Both shook their heads no.

"That'd be me. I'm getting some pretty weird vibes off you. Your not a Vampire, but I don't think that you're a demon either. What gives?"

Lou sat down beside Faith and snagged a drink of her coke before answering her.

"I'm an immortal. I was born just over two hundred years ago in Ireland. What I am remains a mystery but I work for the Powers."

Buffy's head snapped around to face Lou, taking in the apologetic look on her face.

"What?" The was ice in Buffy's voice and Willow placed her hand low on her back to settle her down. Buffy flashed her a shy smile before turning back to face Lou.

Lou now had everyone's attention.

"I need to talk to Buffy and Angel first before I talk to anyone else about this, so can we meet you later?"

Angel answered for them all.

"Meet at our place. The whole gang is coming over for a movie night."

Buffy turned shocked eyes to Angel.

"You have a T.V and never told me!?!"

He sent her that smirk she loved.

Buffy stood up before saying goodbye to the gang, her eyes once again catching Willow's.

Willow looked over to Faith before asking her if Angel had ever mentioned her before.

"I think he did once, but only in passing."

Willow wasn't happy with that answer but she had no idea why. She just knew that when she had seen the woman hug Buffy, she didn't like it.

Faith watched Willow, trying to get a beat on what she was thinking. She could see the confusion in her gaze and wondered if Willow even knew what was going on in her own head right now.

Buffy sat there in silence, absorbing everything that Lou had told her an hour ago.

As soon as Lou had finished talking, Buffy stood up and walked out of the mansion, needing space.

She now sat on top of the Bronze. Thinking. Brooding.

The sound of a fight from below reached her and broke into her brooding. Looking down she saw a group of Vampire's surrounding Angel, Faith and the gang. He must have went back after she left him with Lou.

Buffy stood up before jumping off the building and landing on her feet fifty feet below.

She never paused and launched into an attack. Sending one to the ground with an uppercut to the jaw followed by a roundhouse kick to the head, she staked him before moving on to the next.

Faith and Angel joined the fight though Willow, Xander and Cordy stayed back watching the scene before them with wide eyes.

Though they hadn't known her very long, the three knew that Buffy was pissed about something. Luckily she was taking it out on the Vampires that had been about to start munching on them.

Angel, Faith and Buffy cut through the group of Vampires in no time. Buffy fuelled by her anger, not at Lou but at herself, never paused, she just kept attacking, not even noticing that she had given her demon free range and that she was bleeding from a cut above her eye.

Angel was also in game face, his anger matching Buffy's, staking any Vampire that got close to him while keeping an eye on Faith and Buffy.

He growled loudly when Faith was stabbed in the arm with a knife, leaving a large gash that oozed blood. He tried to get to her but was jumped by four of the eight remaining Vampire's.

Buffy turned at her Sire's loud angry growl and saw what he saw. She also saw that he was trapped and couldn't get to Faith in time to stop the knife that was heading for her throat.

Leaping over the demon closest her Buffy grabbed him by the neck and threw him in front of the incoming knife.

Giving Faith a quick glance to make sure she was okay Buffy squared off with the knife wielding Vampire.

Blocking a punch to the head, she ducked and brought up both hands before catching him under the chin and knocking him off balance.

As he fell, she staked him and joined Faith in fighting her way over to Angel, who had by now killed two of the four Vampire's he was fighting.

One of the Vampires broke from the fight when he realized that there was three humans standing there doing nothing.

He jumped in the direction of Willow, Xander and Cordy when a loud angry growl was heard. Angel looked to Buffy thinking it was her and she was looking at him for the same reason.

Looking up they both saw a sight they hadn't seen since they were evil.

Lou was standing on top of the warehouse across from the Bronze with a large panther at her feet.

The panther roared again before leaping down and landing on the stunned Vampire. The Scoobies backed away further in to the hard wall behind them as they watched the panther tear apart its prey before turning to the remaining Vampire's.

Buffy spotted Faith down first.

"Fang!" Buffy motioned over towards Faith.

The panther responded to the call and bounded over to Faith.

The fight was over in less than a minute of Fang joining.

When all the Vampires were dust he leaped over to Buffy before leaping up at her and knocking her to the ground.

Angel watched on with a small smile on his face but the rest of the humans present were worried.

Xander thought that Buffy was next on the animals list and, without pausing to wonder why the animal was helping them, he bend down before lifting a brick close by and throwing it at the animal.

Fang gave a soft growl and stopped licking Buffy's face to see what had hit it. Turning he saw the brick before he turned back to face Buffy.

"It's okay."

He seemed to understand and finally climbed off her. Buffy stood and gave him an affectionate scratch behind his ears before taking stock of the damage.

Angel was bleeding in various places as was Faith but the remaining humans were undamaged.

Lou took that opportunity to drop beside them, Fang going to her side at once.

Angel grabbed Faith planting a hard kiss on her lips before he turned to the group, not even glancing in Lou's direction.

Buffy walked over to Willow, Xander and Cordy.

"You guys okay?" She was asking them all but her eyes were on Willow's.

When they all nodded that they were fine she hesitated, looking at Willow before she turned and walked away.

Angel watched her before turning to Lou.

"I really hope it was worth it." There was no mistaking the growl in his voice.

He started to go after Buffy when Willow stopped him.

"Faith's hurt. Look after her and I'll catch up with Buffy."

Angel looked at Faith who nodded her head slowly before looking over to Lou who sighed but turned to Willow.

"Take Fang."

Willow looked at the black panther before backing away and shaking her head no.

"He wont hurt you and he can track Buffy."

Willow gave in and set off with Fang, letting him lead the way. When he stopped at a cemetery she paused before going in. He handled himself well with the other Vampires so she figured she'd be fine.

Rounding a corner, she spotted Buffy sitting on a bench staring at the sky.

"Hey there."

Buffy jumped. She jumped again when Fang jumped up beside her on the bench.

"Hey."

Willow sat down on the other side of Buffy and watched as she played with the fur on the back of Fang's ears, listening to the purr the panther made.

"He likes you."

Buffy looked up before looking back down at Fang.

"Glad someone does." It was whispered and Willow wasn't supposed to hear it, but with the cemetery being so quiet she heard it loud and clear.

"What happened earlier?"

Buffy's first response was to deny anything had happened, but as she turned to see Willow, she saw those big innocent eyes she loved and couldn't do it.

"She lied to me, well me and Angel."

"How did she lie?"

Willow watched as Buffy's eyes darkened at the memory.

"She works for the Powers. It was her that gave us back our souls." The way she spit out Powers, Willow could tell Buffy wasn't one bit happy with what had happened.

"And you didn't know that?"

Buffy patted Fangs head before leaning down and whispering "protect" in his ear.

He jumped off the sat and took guard at the foot of it.

Buffy turned her body and faced Willow fully.

"You remember how I said that they" Buffy motioned to the sky with her eyes "cared, just not about me?"

Willow wondered where this was going but nodded her head that she did.

"Seems that they were there all along. From the moment my soul was retuned, from Angel's soul was returned, 'til Lou showed up tonight, they've been there."

Willow didn't see the problem here.

"And your mad because…"

Buffy shot to her feet, startling Fang who thought there was danger.

Leaning down she patted him on the head before pacing back and forth.

"All these years, believing that I was…wrong, a demon with a soul, cant be human, unable to be a demon, stuck in limbo and they were there the whole fucking time. All these years thinking that I wasn't…why?"

Buffy was in game face by the time the words left her mouth and she swung lashing out. The head stone her foot connected with shattered.

Willow watched her before cautiously standing and moving over to the agitated Blonde Vampire.

"Buffy, explain it to me because I'm having trouble following."

Buffy spun around and backed up when Willow flinched with the fast movement.

Feeling fangs in her mouth, Buffy reverted to her human guise and sat back down, her head in her hands.

Willow sat down beside her and rested a hand on Buffy's back and began making small circles hoping to help release some of the tension.

What she didn't know was that she was causing some of that tension. Buffy took a deep, though unneeded, breath before expelling it and sitting up straight.

Willow rested her hand on Buffy's leg that was closest her.

"Why are you upset?"

Buffy's eyes filled with tears.

"Because I thought they didn't care."

Willow now knew what was driving Buffy from one reaction to another.

"You feel guilty because you feel you should have been helping to fight on the side of good all these years yet you feel angry that they never gave you any indication they were there."

Buffy shook her head no. She had been thinking about every time she had met Lou over the years, all the signs she hadn't saw then but did now.

"I'm mad at myself, because I know they were helping me yet I did nothing for them. I couldn't see what was right in front of me. Every time Lou showed up it was to save me. From myself or a demon."

"From yourself?"

"When it got to much I tried to end it all. I would wait for the sun to rise, but Lou always, and I do mean always, showed up and stopped me. Other times when I felt like I couldn't go on and I nearly gave into the demon, she would show up and help me get back on track."

"Seems to me that the Powers did help guide you, just in a way that you thought it was your own doing. You must have been on the right track."

"I could have fought the evil that seems to spread more and more yet I did nothing." There was self loathing in Buffy's voice and Willow heard it.

Willow sighed before standing up.

"Get over it!"

Buffy looked up shocked by the outburst in the quiet night.

"Buffy, what's done is done. We have a very large battle looming ahead and we need you in it a hundred and ten percent. If you feel guilty for the thousands of people that died because of your demon then fight. Help us save the six billion people that will die if we don't stop this thing."

Buffy stood up and turned her back to Willow.

"Your right about the helping to fight, but I can never make up for the deaths I've caused. You were a little out on your figures. I killed thousands in a single year."

Willow couldn't say anything to that.

She walked up and placed her hand on Buffy's back, trying to offer comfort, feeling the muscles tense beneath the Vampires skin.

/Damnit just touch her already! Turn around and kiss her/

Buffy didn't know if it was because of everything that had happened tonight or because Willow was touching her and standing so close but she listened to her demon.

Spinning around, she grabbed Willow by the waist before kissing her, putting everything she was and everything she could ever be into it.

Willow never moved. She felt Buffy's lips on her own. Buffy's tongue tracing an invisible line over the mouth.

Willow jerked back at the feel of Buffy's tongue. Buffy tried to follow her before her eyes snapped open to take in what she thought was a horrified expression of Willow's face.

"Oh God."

Buffy licked her suddenly dry lip, and regretted doing it when she tasted the lip gloss Willow had been wearing.

"Why…what…" Willow couldn't get the words out. She took one last look at Buffy before turning and running away.

Buffy nodded to Fang that he was to follow. When they were both out of sight, she sat heavily on the bench.

What had she done?

Part seven

Willow walked into the mansion, Fang at her heels.

"Where's Buffy?"

She turned towards Faith but never answered her.

"You did find her didn't you?"

Willow slowly nodded her head

"Well? What happened?"

"She kissed me." Willow was shocked, and it showed in her voice.

Faith really wasn't expecting that.

"How was it?"

Willow sat down, luckily the couch was behind her.

"That's all you have to say?"

Faith sat beside Willow and put her arm around her best friend.

"What's freaking you out here? The fact that Buffy is a girl or the fact that she's a demon?"

Willow opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. She didn't know how to answer that.

Buffy sat for a while longer before standing and walking slowly back to the mansion.

When she reached the glass doors that led in from the garden, she remember that everyone was there.

Sighing she walked in and nearly bumped into Angel.

"Where the hell have you been?"

Buffy raised her head and stared at her Sire.

Angel nearly took a step back at the sadness he could see shining through.

He pulled her to him and gave her a hug, only backing away when Faith spoke.

"Hey careful, if B here wasn't hung up on Will I could be jealous."

Buffy gave Faith a nod then walk to her room, not saying word or making eye contact with anyone. Not even caring that everyone must have known by now what had happened with Willow earlier.

Willow watched as Buffy left the room with her head down and got up, following her.

Buffy opened her bedroom door and was about to go in when she felt someone touch her shoulder.

She was so out of it she hadn't heard or sensed anyone.

Turning she saw Willow and closed her mouth, not knowing what to say.

/she tasted good/

Buffy agreed with her demon, but she doubted Willow would want to know that.

Buffy stepped aside when Willow wanted to move past her. She followed the redhead into her bedroom, but kept the door open, not wanting Willow to feel boxed in.

Willow turned to face Buffy and opened her mouth but no words came out.

Buffy saw the trouble Willow was having and feared the worst.

"Look, I'm really sorry about before. I was emotional and overly needed. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. If you wanna just forget it happened I understand."

/LIAR/

'I know but I can't have her avoiding me because she feels awkward'

Willow walked over to Buffy and raised her hand to touch the Vampire's cheek.

Surprising the hell out of herself and the Vampire, she leaned in and pressed her lips against Buffy's.

Buffy never hesitated to kiss her back.

Buffy's hands moved to pull Willow's body closer to her own. One went to her back, the other tangled in her hair.

Her tongue came out again and Buffy hoped Willow didn't break the kiss like she had earlier.

Willow opened her mouth, letting Buffy inside. The Vampire groaned at the sensation.

Willow's head was spinning. When she had kissed Oz and Xander, she had butterflies in her tummy but kissing Buffy? She felt like the butterflies had brought an army with them.

She pulled back from the kiss but stayed within the circle of Buffy's arms.

Buffy opened her eyes, expecting to see that horrified expression again but saw one of wonder instead.

"Why did you kiss me in the cemetery?"

Buffy willed her brain to work, but having Willow so close, it wasn't cooperating.

"Huh?"

Willow smiled before leaning back in for another kiss, one which quickly grew in passion.

Buffy kicked behind her with her foot, closing the door before turning and pressing Willow against it.

"Buffy…"

Buffy broke to give Willow air and trailed her kisses over her face and neck. When she felt Willow stiffen beneath her she pulled back, afraid she'd gone too far.

Willow looked into the lust-filled eyes of the Vampire before her and a shiver racked through her body at the sight.

"We need to stop."

Buffy pulled away so quickly, Willow nearly fell, only the wall behind her kept her upright.

/NO no stopping – more kissing/

Buffy closed her eye and reigned in her lust. When she opened them again her eyes locked with Willow's.

Willow took her hand and led them over to the bed. When they were both sitting she started stoking Buffy's knuckles with her thumb.

"If we start something, I need it to go slow. This is all knew for me. I've never been with a girl before, never mind a Vampire."

Buffy's undead heart leaped at that.

"Do you want there to be an us?"

Willow nodded her head shyly.

Buffy couldn't resist leaning in a giving her a small kiss on the lips, keeping it light.

When she pulled back she had a smile on her face, before a frown set in.

"Why did you react that way earlier then?"

Willow sighed before telling Buffy the question Faith had asked her.

Buffy waited for Willow to continue but she never did.

"So what'd you say?"

Willow wanted to say that it was the girl thing that was bugging her but she couldn't. Her silence gave Buffy her answer.

Buffy's shoulders slumped.

/why doesn't she like me? I'm very loveable/

Willow saw the slumped shoulders and lifted Buffy's chin up so they were eye to eye.

"Relationships are about compromising. I like you and I want to see where it goes. I'll deal with it."

Buffy had her doubts but she couldn't pass this chance up, even if it ended in heart break for her.

The next night the gang was supposed to meet at the library.

So far everyone was there but Willow and Buffy was getting agitated.

"Call her house, see if she left yet."

Faith felt like hitting the Vampire.

"B I called, like five times, she's probably on her way."

Buffy started pacing again, causing the others to roll their eyes.

Giles, who didn't know about the change in relationship between Willow and Buffy was confused as to why she was acting like she was.

"Buffy, sit."

Buffy threw Angel a glare and continued pacing. It hadn't been a command, for which she was grateful, so she could refuse him.

Willow walked through the doors and came face to face with a very worried Buffy.

"Where the hell have you been? We've been waiting for over twenty minutes."

Buffy never gave Willow the chance to answer and swept her up in a kiss.

Giles eyes widened before he removed his glasses and began cleaning them.

"When did this happen?"

Everyone turned from watching the passionate kiss to look at the Watcher.

"It's a new thing." Faith was the one to answer.

The doors opened again to reveal Lou and Fang. When Giles saw the panther, he choked on the tea she had just drank.

"What…who is that and why is there a panther in my library?"

While the gang filled him in, Buffy continued to kiss Willow.

She had stiffened when Lou first arrive but Willow had felt it and wrapped her arms fully around her before increasing the pressure of the kiss.

Buffy eventually broke the kiss to let Willow breathe and led her over to the table.

Giles avoided looking at both of them, though the rest of the group had little smirks on their faces.

"Buffy you have a little…" Faith indicated to the smeared lipstick at the side of her mouth.

Buffy turned to face Willow and Willow raised her hand, wiping off the lipstick with a finger.

Buffy couldn't resist and let her tongue swipe across the top of said finger, causing Willow's eyes to widen.

"So, what's the what Giles?"

Giles, glad for the distraction, latched onto what Xander had said.

"Well the prophecy seems to have more in it than we originally thought. Another sentence appeared last night that makes reference to a scroll:

And from the depth of Hell he will come, the scroll of the dead in his hands.

I've never heard of it before, have you two?"

Buffy and Angel both hadn't and shook their heads no.

Lou locked eyes with the Watcher.

"Do you know something?" Giles had a feeling she did.

Lou looked down at Fang before raising her eyes back to Giles.

"I know something, thought I'm not sure how much will be of use."

"Anything would help us right now."

Lou sat down and motioned everyone else to, this was going to be a long story.

"You may think that this prophecy hasn't yet began, but the truth is it has been ongoing for over a century. The war has been raging in hell. The demon that shall rise, its not like any other you will have faced, but I'm getting ahead of myself here. I'll start at the beginning, I need to tell how I came to know of the prophecy, but I want no interruptions."

She threw a look at both Buffy and Angel before continuing.

"The Powers asked me to intervene in the lives of two demons. They knew that this fight would be coming and they knew that these two demons would play a pivotal part in the final battle.

I had no idea who these demons were, I was just given names and a location.

When I arrived in Italy, they were easy to find. It only took me a month. I just followed the dead bodies.

They were vicious, yet between the two they shared a bond, in fact they still do this day., though it's a little rusty.

When I caught one, the other tried to sacrifice itself to save her Sire."

All eyes turned to Buffy, then Angel. Buffy had a hold of Willow's hand and wasn't letting go anytime soon. Not that Willow minded.

Angel had a similar hold on Faith.

"She blindsided me. I may be immortal, but had I not had Fang with me, I would be surely dead, or at the very least crippled by her attack.

Her Sire tried to get her to stop so they could get away, but I had a feeling she knew that she couldn't win, that they couldn't win. Not this fight.

As she fought with me and tried to stay away from Fang's teeth, she shouted for him to leave. He refused.

This was my second clue that there was something very different about these two.

I knew that taking on both at once had been a mistake so I retreated.

I kept an eye on them for the next week or so, learning their routines.

When I saw an opening, I took it."

Lou paused to give Buffy and Angel a look, and they knew what was coming next. They had heard it the night before.

"The female demon had left one night to go on a hunt without her Sire and I followed with Fang.

She sensed us and turned.

I walked calmly up to her until we were within a few feet of the other, Fang at my heels.

The demon turned to the male with her and told him to warn Angelus. He took off running.

She asked me what I wanted. I couldn't answer her. What I wanted didn't matter, I worked for the Powers.

I told her of the plans the Powers had for her and her Sire.

If it were possible, she paled. I remember her words like she spoke them just yesterday

Are you mad? Do you have any idea what we've done?

I didn't but I could guess.

It didn't matter though. The Powers wanted what they wanted.

I used magic to bind her into place and then removed us from this dimension.

She struggled the entire way.

She must have realized that it was going to happen whether she wanted it to or not, because the fight went out of her.

She told me to just take her and leave Angelus alone. I was surprised by the loyalty though I shouldn't have been with having witnessed the way she protected him the week before.

I used the power the Powers had granted me to do their work for them in this case and returned her soul.

I returned her back to this dimension when it was over and she appeared in a field, Angelus stood before her.

I had stayed in-between dimensions waiting for my chance to re-soul the remaining demon.

Buffy was laying on the ground curled up into a ball, sobbing.

Angelus bent down, wondering what was wrong and when their eyes met, he knew.

I didn't know what I was expecting to happen but it wasn't for him to stand up and turn his back on her."

Angel moved over to Buffy, taking faith with him and wrapped an arm around her whispering "I'm so sorry" in her ear.

"I actually enjoyed giving him back his soul. I was enraged that he had treated her like that when she had done nothing but worry about him.

When he realized what had happened, he, like Buffy, broke down in tears, but unlike Buffy, he had someone there to help in in those first few confusing hours when all the memories of what he had done as a demon came to him.

I had done what I set out to do and reported back to the Powers via the Oracles.

I asked them why they needed these two demons.

They told me of a prophecy that had even them scared.

They said that these two were needed, but what they didn't know is that they sparked the start of the prophecy. They only found out after Buffy and Angelus had been given back their souls, their humanity.

The Powers had only known the finally prophecy, they hadn't known that to give Buffy and Angel their souls would spark the beginning of the end."

Everyone in the library was silent, even Fang.

Buffy had her head down, her hand playing with one of Willow's, who had tears in her eyes.

Angel had his head buried in Faith's neck, breathing in her comforting scent.

They both had to deal with the knowledge that the reason they were given a second chance, was the reason the world was now in danger.

"Do you know how we can beat this demon?" Giles felt the need to ask.

Lou shook her head no.

"I gave you a watered down version of what happened. The Powers refused to tell me anymore. They were pissed because they had unwittingly started what they hoped to prevent."

Buffy looked up and when she spoke, her voice was hollow.

"Why didn't you tell us, me? After that we got to know each other. You lied to us the entire time. Where you only there because of the prophecy?"

Lou shook her head no.

"The only thing I ever lied about was my connection to the Powers. My friendship to you both was very real.

Xander raised his hand.

"Wait. This doesn't make sense. You were the one to give them back their souls, how could they not know you worked for the Powers? You told Buffy it was the Powers that sent you."

It was Buffy that answered.

"She wiped our memories of who it was. Until last night, I thought it had been a demon."

Even though it wasn't needed, Lou nodded her head yes.

Faith glared daggers at Lou as did Willow.

"Do we have any idea what type of demon we're gonna be up against?" Xander wanted to focus on what mattered right this minute.

"All I know is that its old. Very very old."

Giles looked to Lou.

"You don't know anything else about it?"

Lou shook her head no.

Faith stood up.

"I have to patrol. Who's coming with?"

Angel and Buffy stood up.

Willow stood up as well causing Buffy to turn to face her.

"You aren't going."

Willow's resolve face came on.

"Out of the two of us who is the boss of me? I'm going."

They locked eyes before Buffy finally backed down.

"Fine but you stay out of danger a take a cross for protection."

Lou stood up and offered to let her take Fang.

Willow smiled and looked at the panther that was now sitting by her side.

Xander and Cordy also wanted to go.

They all set off leaving Giles with Lou.

Part eight

Angel, and Buffy finished their patrol before heading over to meet the others at the Bronze.

They both felt the after effects of the fight and as soon as they found the gang sitting at their usual table, Angel grabbed Faith and they were gone.

"What's up with Angel?" Buffy tried not to laugh at Cordy's question and shrugged her shoulders before turning to Willow.

"Wanna go get ice-cream?"

Willow's face lit up.

"Take that as a yes?"

Willow stood up and grabbed Buffy's hand before saying goodbye to the gang.

They walked along hand in hand, Buffy ignoring her rising desire and concentrating on the area around them.

Willow knew what was wrong with Angel. Her and Faith had talked about it one night a few weeks ago just after she had started dating Buffy.

Slaying made you horny. She had no idea how Buffy was curbing her lust but she was glad for it. She wasn't ready to go the whole way, but she did want to experiment a little.

Problem was Buffy always stopped when things looked like they were going to go that little bit further. Faith had given her a game plan, which she intended starting tonight, to speed things up just a little.

Idly her thumb stoked the back of Buffy's knuckles as they walked.

Buffy found it getting harder to concentrate on their surroundings and was glad when she saw the ice-cream place come into sight.

She was about to head in that direction when Willow pulled her into an alley.

"What-" That was all she got out as Willow's lips claimed her own.

Buffy held back as she always did though she longed to let go, give into her passion.

Their tongues battled, though neither looked to take dominance of the kiss.

Willow's hands wandered over Buffy's back and skimmed her butt once before they rested there.

Buffy had a similar hold on Willow and her lust was threatening to get out of control. Slipping a leg between Willow's, Buffy pressed their bodies closer than they had ever been.

Pulling back to let Willow breathe, Buffy trailed kisses down the side of her chin before moving up to her earlobe and grabbing it between her teeth and nursing it.

Willow gave a loud moan which Buffy answered with a growl. The growl was what broke through Buffy's haze.

Pulling back, panting for breath she didn't need, Buffy gave Willow a soft kiss, reigned in her lust for the redhead and pulled her out of the alley and into the ice-cream place.

Buffy picked the booth at the back and let Willow slide in before sliding in next to her.

"What'll you have?"

/the redhead covered in chocolate/

Buffy groaned at the images her demon was flashing at her, luckily Willow was currently ordering a strawberry ice-cream.

Buffy looked up when Willow nudged her and saw both Willow and the waitress looking at her.

"I'll have the chocolate."

The waitress left to get their orders leaving the two alone.

Willow picked up on of Buffy's hands and traced an imaginary design on her skin.

"So, how was you night?" Buffy forced her voice to come out strong, though inside she was melting at Willow's touch.

"Good. We just sat listened to the music. Got asked to dance." Time for part two of the plan: make Buffy a little jealous.

/WHAT?/

Buffy stopped the growl just before it could leave her mouth.

"Really? Who by?"

Willow smiled. She could hear the jealously in her girlfriends voice.

"Bradley from school."

Buffy could feel the leather of the seat below her beginning to rip under her grip.

"And?"

Willow turned to face Buffy and from the look on her girlfriends face, she knew she couldn't play her. It was a mixture of jealously and fear that Willow had agreed.

"I told him no. That the person I wanted to dance with wasn't there. That would be you by the way."

Buffy released the tight grip she had on the seat and turned to face Willow, they were inches apart.

Licking her lips, Willow saw Buffy's gaze drop to them for a second and did a happy dance inside her head.

Forgetting that they were in public where anyone could see, Buffy leaned over and kissed Willow.

Willow's mouth opened right away, her tongue coming out to meet its Mate.

Buffy shifted closer to the girl beside her and moved a hand into Willow's hair, tightening her grip and pulling her flush against her own body.

/that's more like it/

Buffy kissed Willow harder, driven by the need to prove to herself that she was with *her* and not off dancing with anyone else.

The room fell away, all that existed for Buffy was the girl pressed against her side.

Raising her hand, Buffy stoked along the side of Willow's face with a fingertip, feeling her shudder at the contact.

"Uh…here's your order."

The waitress broke through their haze and both pulled apart.

Willow blushed to the tips of her hair. Buffy looked annoyed.

"Thank-you"

The girl left them to their ice-cream wondering to herself when Willow had turned gay.

Buffy couldn't concentrate sitting that close to Willow and moved to face sitting her, earning her a look from the girl in question.

Thinking fast Buffy answered.

"So I can see the door."

Willow nodded her head, but didn't really believe her.

Casually she slipped her foot over to tangle with Buffy's.

Buffy dropped her spoon in shock before turning wide eyes on Willow.

"What has gotten in to you tonight?"

Willow's shoulders slumped. The plan wasn't working. She decided to take a different route and be direct.

"I know what was wrong with Angel tonight."

Buffy's eyes got really big before she turned her gaze to her bowl of ice-cream.

"How?"

"Faith."

Buffy closed her eyes.

/figures/

"That doesn't explain why your so…affectionate tonight. Not that I mind." Buffy rushed to add.

Willow took a deep breath.

Buffy could smell the anxiety coming off her and wondered what she was about to say.

"I know that if Angel feels that way…then you do to. It must be…frustrating."

Willow was blushing and Buffy wondered how far the blush went.

Buffy shrank back further into her seat.

"Even if I do…I would never…you don't have to rush anything for me."

Willow smiled at Buffy, who missed it as she was looking at her hands.

"I know that, that wasn't even in question. I'm not ready to go the entire way, but I know you hold back on me every time we kiss and I want you to know that you don't have to. I trust you."

Buffy looked up, her heart in her eyes. It was strange and wonderful at the same time hearing Willow say those words. It had been so long since anyone other than Willow or Angel had said those words to her. Even Faith and the rest of the gang hadn't outright said that they trusted her.

"Thank you."

Buffy walked Willow home but stopped her when they got to Willow's house.

"Why is the house in darkness?" She was reaching out to see if she sensed any danger but found nothing.

Willow looked up at her house before turning back to Buffy.

"My parents are in Canada visiting family there."

Buffy nodded and walked up the steps to Willow's front door before stopping and turning to the girl at her side.

"What are you plans for tomorrow?"

Willow shrugged her shoulders.

"Nothing why?"

Buffy smiled before leaning in and placing a soft kiss on Willow's mouth.

"Meet me at the Mansion just before sunset tomorrow?"

Willow gave her a smile and a nod.

Buffy leaned forward again for a goodbye kiss.

They got lost in it.

Willow's tongue traced Buffy's mouth, running along her gums and the roof of her mouth. She paused when she felt something rough just behind her front teeth.

Buffy gave a low moan at the sensation and pulled Willow to her. She ran her hands along Willow's back before settling just above the rise of her ass.

Having an idea what it was that caused Buffy to react that way, Willow ran her teeth along Buffy's bottom set of front teeth. Sure enough, the skin here was rough too and Buffy reacted the same way.

Buffy pulled back trying to reign in her control. When she had first felt Willow's tongue stoking the skin that hid her fangs she almost lost it.

Willow opened her eyes and looked into the lust filled eyes of her girlfriend and felt guilty.

"Sorry."

Buffy stoked along Willow's face with her fingertips.

"Why?"

Willow blushed before raising her eyes to Buffy's.

"For not being ready."

Buffy's gaze softened before she leaned in a gave Willow a feather soft kiss.

"Being this close to you is enough."

Willow gave Buffy one last goodbye kiss before going inside.

Buffy had a smile on her face as she began walking down Willow's drive when the door was threw open.

"Hey Buff?"

Buffy turned around wondering what Willow wanted.

"You need me to bring anything tomorrow?"

Buffy walked back up to stand in front of Willow.

"Just you."

Leaning forward she gave her another kiss before backing away.

"Now go in and go to bed."

Buffy tried to ignore the images she got into her head with those words and gave Willow a smile, waiting until she was safely inside before leaving.

Angel watched Buffy putter around the mansion and couldn't help the chuckle escaping him.

Buffy turned at the sound.

"What?"

Angel stood up and took in the front room.

There was a blanket spread out in front of the fire, which was unlit. On the blanket there was an assortment of foods and drinks.

"Why are you doing all this?"

"What? You've never done anything like this for Faith?"

Angel smiled and nodded his head.

Buffy was going to comment on the look on his face but then Willow was there.

Angel made his excuses and cleared out.

"Hey."

Buffy returned the greeting, pulled Willow further into the room and led her over to the blanket.

"Wow. You did all this."

Buffy shook her head no.

"The arranging yes, the cooking no. I ordered in. Sit."

Willow removed her shoes and sat on the blanket, Buffy waited until she was settled before sitting beside her.

"Why? What's the occasion?"

Willow took in the setting and missed the crestfallen look on Buffy's face before she masked it with a smile.

'she doesn't remember'

/make her/

"Well, I heard that couples celebrate events like this and since I couldn't take you out for a picnic during the day, I figured this was a close second."

Willow frowned not knowing what Buffy was talking about.

"Well we've been together for six weeks now and I figured we should mark the occasion, but it was stupid, we should just-" she was cut off by Willow's lips.

"It was a brilliant idea. I'm sorry I forgot."

Buffy shrugged her shoulders.

"It's okay."

/lair, you pathetic human feelings are hurt/

'so are your demonic ones so back off'

Buffy handed over a small rounded box. Willow took it with a smile and a frown on her face.

"See now I feel extra bad. I don't have anything for you."

Buffy leaned forward, brushing their lips together before pulling back.

"That's more than enough."

Willow blushed and opened her gift.

Inside the box, nestled in black satin was a pendant.

Lifting it out she held it up.

It seemed to change color the more she looked at it and she threw a questioning glance at Buffy.

"Its protected. Whatever's coming, its going to be big, really big, and I just want you to have that little extra protection. I'm going to give the gang one each, but I wanted to give you yours privately."

Willow smiled and looked again at the pendant.

It was oval in shape, but the more she watched, it too like the color, changed.

Buffy saw the concentration on her face and lowered her arm, letting the pendant fall to Willow's lap.

"It's protected. You can never tell it's true shape or color, part of it's magic. Each pendant will only work for it's owner, so don't go swapping it." There was humor in Buffy's voice.

Willow held it up and out to Buffy.

"Put it on me?"

Buffy smiled before nodding her head and taking it from Willow's outstretched hands.

Moving behind her, Buffy swept Willow's hair out of the way before securing the pendant and placing a small kiss on the back of Willow's neck.

"All done."

Willow felt heat cover her. It felt like it was burning her from the neck down. Spinning she looked at Buffy who noticed the worry of her face.

"Don't worry."

Willow looked into the calm face before her and relaxed, letting the feeling wash over her. It was gone in a minute.

"What was that?"

Buffy sat them both back down before handing Willow a glass of water to cool her off.

"The pendant usually doesn't react with the wearer. The only reason it did was because I…"

Willow sensed that Buffy was about to say something big and cut her off.

"So where did you get them?"

Buffy shook her head to clear it before answering.

"I had them made by a Witch. As soon as I found out about the prophecy I asked for a favor. Had to change part of the order a few weeks ago but it was worth it."

"Who was the Witch?"

"She's someone I met a few years back. I think it was in 1948. Her and her husband were traveling from Europe to America and we got to talking. She told me that they were leaving to give their children a better life. She's still in the States, living down south in Carolina."

Willow took drink of her water and Buffy busied herself with piling a plate with food before handing it over.

Willow took it and started eating the various foods before noticing that Buffy wasn't eating.

"I've never really talked to Angel about this stuff but do you not eat human foods? Ice-cream doesn't count."

Buffy didn't know if this was a conversation to have. She knew that Willow wasn't comfortable with her demon side and had tried to keep that part of herself out of their relationship.

Looking at Willow, Buffy thought that maybe it was time to stop.

"I can, it doesn't do anything for me but I can eat it."

Willow nodded her head and looked like she was about to ask another question before she clamed her mouth shut.

Buffy however noticed the action and reached out to stoke Willow's cheek.

"What?"

"It's just, you never talk about any of that stuff."

"I didn't think that you really wanted to hear about it." As soon as she said it Buffy felt guilty as Willow lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No your right. I wasn't ready to hear before."

Willow met Buffy's eyes and took a deep breath.

"I think I'm ready now, if you want to tell me."

Part nine

Willow waited for Buffy to say something. Anything. The silence was unnerving.

The reason Buffy wasn't talking was because she was having an internal conversation with her demon.

/let me talk to her/

'a world of no'

/you will mess it up/

'I wont'

/well then talk to her/

'and say what?'

/anything, but stop sitting there having a conversation with yourself/

Buffy looked up and saw Willow looking at her worriedly.

"What do you want to know?"

Willow let out the breath she had been holding.

"Well I don't know. Angel never talks about this kind of stuff, well not with me anyway."

Buffy nodded her head, knowing that he hadn't really talked to Faith about Vampires either, though with Faith being a Slayer that was kind of a moot point.

"Well, do you want to know what it is like being a Vampire, or what I was like?"

Willow picked up one of Buffy's hands and thought about her answer before raising her head and catching her girlfriend's eyes.

"What you were like. Before and now."

Buffy gave Willow's hand a small squeeze before beginning.

"Becoming a vampire is a profound and powerful experience. I could feel this new strength coursing through me. Getting killed made me feel alive for the very first time…ironic huh?"

Buffy told Willow everything, from the moment she met Angelus, when her soul was restored, right up until the moment she had arrived in Sunnydale. She left none of it out.

Willow just sat there taking it all in. Listening as her girlfriend told her about the times when she killed, maimed and tortured humans and demons alike. For food. For fun.

She also listened as Buffy told her of the hundred years or so she spent alone, only having contact with the human world when she needed to.

When Buffy had finished she chanced a look at the clock and noticed that it was now two in the morning.

Turning back to Willow, Buffy could see that she needed time to think about everything she had been told.

Rising she offered her hand, which trembled, and nearly sobbed in relief when Willow took it and pulled herself up.

"It's late. I'll walk you home. Your parents still in Canada?"

Willow nodded her head yes and the two headed off into the night.

Buffy patrolled until dawn, or as near to dawn as she could get without turning crispy.

Angel was pacing the main room when she got back.

"Where have you been?" He was worried. Buffy usually never stayed out so close to sunrise.

"I was patrolling."

Angel threw his hands up in the air before turning and storming off to his room.

Buffy thought about following him but she was too tired, so she headed off to get some sleep herself.

The next night they all met in the library. Everyone but Willow.

"Where's Will?"

Faith looked uncomfortable before telling Buffy that Willow was at home working on a paper for English.

Buffy knew the Slayer was lying but she never called her on it, thinking that her girlfriend did not want to see her right now.

Giles interrupted before anything else could be said.

"We have a problem. We took the meaning of ~One the tenth night of the tenth month~ to mean the tenth of October, but we were taking that date off our calendar."

Angel and Buffy understood what Giles was saying and they both turned to look at each other, worry in their eyes.

"What should we have thought?" Xander heard the worry in Giles voice as well and when Giles was worried, well it never turned out well for the gang.

"The calendar dates have changed that many times through the history of the earth-"

"But the prophecy was discovered when Angel and Buffy were evil, that wasn't too long ago."

Both Vampires glared at Cordelia.

"Yes, the Powers discovered it then, but it was written thousands of years before. We cannot pin point when."

Everyone turned to face the new arrival.

Lou walked into the library and took a seat. Fang followed her but stopped by Buffy, who reached down and patted his head affectionately.

"So we're blind?"

"Not exactly. We can't pinpoint the exact date but we do think that it will happen sooner rather than later. What we really need, is more information, which sadly, we do not have."

Everyone seemed to slump at Giles words before Buffy stood up straight, turned and walked out.

Buffy made her way over to Willow's house, aware of Fang following at a distance.

She noticed that all the front lights were on and wondered why as Willow's parents were still in Canada.

Stepping up to the porch she heard raised voices coming from inside.

"…how is that not a problem?" It was a male voice and Buffy heard the anger in it.

"Dad it's my life! You can't stop me!" So it was Willow and her Father arguing then, but over what Buffy didn't know.

"Willow, we just don't think that you've thought this through properly. You say things are fine but people will talk."

"Mom, just because I happen to be dating a girl doesn't mean people are going to take notice."

It all clicked for Buffy. Willow's parents had somehow found out about them and returned home early to confront their daughter.

Buffy stifled a growl. They didn't need this right now.

Stalling any further argument she knocked on the door, which was opened by a tall man who looked to be in his forties.

"Yes?"

"Hi I'm looking for Willow."

Buffy felt like a bug under a microscope as Willow's father stared at her, but then Willow was there.

Buffy saw a look of relief pass over Willow's face before a frown settled. Buffy honestly didn't know if coming to see Willow, the day after she had spilled all of her darkest secrets, was smart idea, but she needed to see her.

"And you are?"

Buffy brought her gaze away from Willow and settled it on her father.

Deciding that being rude would only make things worse for Willow, Buffy stuck out her hand, making sure to keep it far enough out the front door as possible as she didn't yet have an invite to the house.

"My name is Buffy."

Willow's father stared at the hand before lifting his own and giving it a shake. If he noticed the coolness of Buffy's skin he didn't say.

"Iris."

Willow took that moment to intervene.

"Dad would you mind if I talked to Buffy for a minute?"

Her father left but not before throwing his daughter a look.

Willow stepped out onto the porch and sat on the seat, motioning for Buffy to join her.

Buffy sat down and lifted one of Willow's hands.

"When did they get back?"

"This morning. Seems someone called to let them know that you and I were, well you know."

Buffy frowned before settling her arm around her girlfriend.

"How did they take it?"

Willow gave a small snort.

"Their Jewish. I got the 'how could you do this to us' speech about three times."

Willow lay her head down on Buffy's shoulder and let out a sigh before sitting up again and turning to face her.

"What are you doing here anyway? I told Faith to tell everyone I had a paper to write for class."

"Newsflash, I'm a Vampire, we can tell when people lie, well most of the time, depending on the person."

Buffy leaned forward and placed a kiss on Willow's forehead.

"Also, we just got bad news and I wanted to see you."

Willow sat straighter and asked what was wrong.

"Seems we miscalculated the amount of time we would have before the shit it the fan."

Buffy explained what Giles and Lou had said about the calendar changes through the years.

"So Lou's back then?"

Buffy nodded her head.

Willow sighed before turning to look and make sure her parents were not peeking out the windows before turning back and leaning in to kiss Buffy.

Buffy pulled her closer before licking softly at Willow's bottom lip, asking for permission as she always did.

Willow gave it and soon the too were engaged in a heated kiss that was only interrupted when the front door opened.

Iris took in the scene before him. His daughter was half sitting in some girls lap. Said girl had one hand wrapped in his daughter's hair and the other roaming her back. He couldn't see where his daughter's hands were.

"Willow."

Willow broke apart from Buffy at the anger she heard in her father's voice.

Buffy also heard the anger, as did Fang, who had been keeping watch for any danger.

Buffy stood, lifting Willow with her before placing her girlfriend behind her and turning to Willow's father.

Iris wanted to take a step back at the look in Buffy's eyes.

Hearing a low growl, all three turned to face the black panther that was stalking up the path.

Iris did step back at that.

"Willow, get inside. Move very slowly."

Willow threw her father a dirty look, noticing that he didn't seem concerned with Buffy's safety before moving around her girlfriend and going to greet Fang.

Buffy tried not to laugh at the look on Willow's fathers face.

/I don't like him/

'me either'

Buffy felt her demon smile.

/that mean we can eat him?/

'no, somehow I don't think Willow would like that'

/whipped/

'proud of it, anyway, your one to talk'

Her demon said nothing to that and Buffy turned to see Fang give Willow a lick on the cheek. For some reason that snapped her out of the daze she had been in.

"Willow are you out of your mind? Get away from that animal right now." Iris never raised his voice, trying not to alert the animal in question to his presence.

Buffy rolled her eyes before calling Fang over. The panther bounded over to Buffy, keeping Iris in his line of sight.

Everything happened so fast, only Buffy's speed was able to stop the bloodshed that would surely have happened had she not been there.

Iris darted out and made a grab for his daughter, Fang saw this and mistook it for an attack. The panther pounced.

Willow screamed when she saw Fang leap for her father's neck.

Willow's scream sent Buffy into action. She jumped in front of the human and growled warningly at Fang, who changed direction mid leap to avoid the Vampire.

Fang sat down, Buffy, stopped growling and switched back to her human mask, and Willow's scream stopped.

Iris looked from his daughter to the panther to the girl in front of him before sitting down heavily on the step behind him.

The front door opened and out popped a woman Buffy guessed to be Willow's mother.

"What is going on out here? Who screamed?"

Willow stepped up and motioned her mother inside before she spotted Fang, leaving Buffy alone with the panther and the human.

Iris took a deep breath before looking up at the girl who his saved his life. He had heard the growl and seen the oversized teeth. Now he wanted answers.

Buffy stroked Fang, letting him know that she was not angry at him, before turning to face the human.

"You're a Vampire." It wasn't a question.

Buffy nodded her head, wondering how he knew about Vampire's.

Iris read the question on her face and gave a humorless laugh.

"Not everyone in this town believe the 'gangs on PCP' stories the police seem to like."

Buffy nodded her head and opened her mouth to speak when the door opened again and Willow came back out.

Iris stood up and refused to let her past. His eyes locked with Buffy's and she could see the confusion and fear in them.

"You have nothing to fear from me."

Willow turned wide eyes to her girlfriend, wondering just what she had missed.

"Your dad knows."

Willow's face paled and Buffy actually thought that she was going to pass out. Moving forward Buffy darted around Willow's father and caught her girlfriend just in time.

Iris was about to pull the Vampire off his daughter by force if need be, when he stopped to watch.

Buffy lowered Willow gently to the ground, pillowing her head on her knees and stoking her hair, waiting for Willow to come round.

Lowering her head, she nuzzled Willow's neck, a purr escaping her as she did so.

Willow blinked her eyes open and sat up with a start as everything came back to her.

"Buffy?"

Buffy tightened her hold.

"I'm here baby."

Willow sighed before looking up into the concerned eyes of her father.

"Dad?"

He heard the worry in his daughter's voice but he could not get past the fact that his daughter was dating a girl and that the girl was a demon.

"I think we all need to talk this through." He turned and started into the house before a thought hit him and he turned back around.

"Please don't mention any on this to your mother. She dose not know about the evil in this town."

Willow nodded her head before looking up at Buffy.

"That went better than I thought it would."

She couldn't help it. Buffy burst out laughing.

Part ten – incase anyone was wondering, I changed the name of Willow's dad. I'm basing him on a friends dad, who is usually a very nice guy until the matter of sexual orientation is brought up – bwriter

Willow closed the front door behind Buffy and led her into the living room.

They each sat down on the couch and waited for Willow's father to start talking.

Iris looked from his daughter to the Vampire sitting beside her, to his Wife.

"Dear, would you mind making some coffee?"

Once she was gone, he turned his attentions to the two sitting opposite him.

"This ends tonight."

Buffy shook her head at him and looked at Willow, glad to see that she was also shaking her head no.

"How can you possibly expect this to work? Taking out the same sex factor, she's a demon who, if I understand correctly, is immortal. You Willow, are not."

Buffy closed her eyes.

/we could fix that/

Buffy looked up to see Willow's head lowered and turned her attention to the man sitting across from her, hating him for voicing one of her own concerns.

"Immortality means nothing, not anymore. With the world we live in, either one of us could die tonight, tomorrow or the next day. Even if we both manage to survive what's coming, there will always be something just around the corner. We can't predict the future."

Buffy paused and lifted Willow's hand, placing a small kiss on her palm.

"I love your daughter very much. Nothing you say or do will stop that. I'll be by her side until the end. Or until she decides she doesn't want me anymore."

Willow turned big eyes on Buffy, wondering if she heard her right.

Buffy smiled slightly at her. Not exactly the way she wanted Willow to find out that she was in love with her but too late now.

"You may love her, but why would she possibly love you? You're a demon. Evil. You're beneath her."

Buffy's eyes closed and she took a deep breath, something which amused Willow considering she didn't need the oxygen.

Willow's small smile fell when Buffy's hands dropped her own and she realized that she hadn't said anything that would confirm or deny what her father had just said.

Before she had a chance to say anything, Buffy stood up and walked to the window, staring out into the dark.

"Your right. I am a demon. I am beneath her. But I still won't give her up without a fight."

/Used to be so simple. Vampire. Human. Vampire kills human, when did things get so complicated?/

'when we fell in love'

Buffy's demon was quiet at that.

Willow stood up and walked to stand at Buffy's back. Placing a hand on her should, she let it travel the length of Buffy's arm until she grasped her hand and turned her around to face her.

She could see the pain that Buffy tried to hide in her eyes and offered her a smile.

"Dad, you were wrong on all counts. Buffy is more than just a demon, she's a warrior. If anything, I'm beneath her."

Buffy tried to cut her off by opening her mouth to deny that but Willow continued.

"And the most important thing you got wrong?"

Willow looked her father square in the eyes before turning to Buffy again.

"I'm in love with her. Woman, Demon, the whole lot. I know what she's done in the past, but its just that. The past."

Buffy, forgetting where they were, pulled Willow in for a kiss, for once not holding back. Her hands tangled in Willow's hair as she pulled her closer.

Tracing Willow's lips with her tongue, Buffy for once never asked permission and thrust it in, tangling it with Willow's.

A loud cough broke through Buffy's haze, but she still didn't remove her mouth from Willow's.

Suddenly Willow was gone and Buffy's eyes snapped open to see Iris holding Willow tightly by the arm. She also saw a grimace of pain shot across Willow's face at the rough treatment.

Not even thinking, Buffy Vamped out and started towards them, growling her displeasure.

Iris paled and walked backwards, dragging Willow with him.

"Dad let go. Please."

Willow's plea only made Buffy growl louder.

"Dad now, let go."

Iris looked at his daughter like she was crazy.

"You expect me to let you go when this monsphmmm-"

He was cut of by Buffy's hand wrapped around his throat.

Willow finally broke free and grabbed Buffy's other hand.

"Baby?"

Buffy was too busy snarling at Iris to hear Willow.

"Baby?" A tug on the arm followed and Buffy finally turned golden eyes to Willow.

"Baby, let him go."

Buffy shook her head and turned her attention back to the human she had by the throat.

/just a little more pressure/

"Buffy! Baby for me, let him go."

Slowly sanity crept its way back into Buffy's mind and she loosened her hold before releasing Iris completely, watching as he slumped to the floor gasping for breath.

Buffy pulled Willow to her and, still in Vamp face, pulled her in for a kiss.

Willow froze for a second and Buffy felt it but she just pressed harder against her lips, purring when Willow kissed her back with the same level of passion as usual.

Taking Buffy's hand, Willow led her to the front door when her father's voice stopped her.

"Willow, I forbid you to do this. If you leave now, don't come back. Not with that thing."

Willow paused in the door, not knowing what to do.

Buffy, who had managed to slip out of game face during their kiss, sent a growl Iris' way before turning to her girlfriend.

"Do you want to stay?"

Willow smiled at Buffy's attempt at trying to hide her anger at Iris' ultimatum.

"No. If you're looking for me I'll be at Faith's." With that Willow pulled Buffy out of the house leaving her father fuming and her mother, who had just walked in, staring at him in shook and horror.

Buffy kept throwing glances at Willow as they walked and despite the situation, a small smile graced her features.

She detected the change in Willow's breathing soon after they had left the house. Her breaths were coming slower than usual.

"Will? You okay? I mean besides the obvious?"

Willow shook her head no and before Buffy knew what was happening she had her arms full of Willow. Not that she minded.

"I can't believe he did that." The words, spoken so softly, made Buffy angrier.

"Asshole."

Willow let out a snort before pulling back and wiping her eyes.

"Sorry."

Buffy gave her a funny look before reaching up to wipe away the still falling tears.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. He is in the wrong here, not you."

Buffy leaned in and placed small kiss on her lips before pulling back.

"Where to?"

Willow shrugged her shoulders.

"I need to ask Faith if I can crash at her place, but after that, I don't want to be around a large crowd."

Buffy wrapped her arm around Willow and led her in the direction of the school and to the Slayer.

The scene they walked into, wasn't one that Buffy expected. Neither did she expect the person that was now only yards in front of her.

Growling, she pulled Willow behind her and turned golden eyes to her Sire.

"What the fuck is he doing here?"

/asshole. Never liked him/

'another thing we agree on, I'm getting worried'

Angel sighed, knowing that Buffy wasn't going to like this one bit.

"Seems he's here to help." There was sarcasm in Angel's voice and everybody in the room heard it.

"Hey now! That anyway to talk to family, 'specially family that's here to help. Bloody ingrates."

"Spike, could you not antagonize her more than you already do?" Angel was getting a headache, he could not survive spending more time than was needed in Spike's company.

Willow raised her hand and rested it on Buffy's back before speaking to Faith.

The rest of the gang took in the fact that Buffy was still growling low at Spike.

"Faith, what's going on?"

Faith sighed and sat down on the closest chair.

"Seems Blondie here was sent to help. Lou informed us just before she left and he appeared, that in order to secure his help, Dru has been taken. He helps out here, he gets her back. He walks away and she gets dusted."

Buffy stopped growling. Spike was looking anywhere but at her. If Dru was in danger, Buffy knew that Spike wouldn't mess them about. Still, she really didn't like him.

Then a thought hit her. Turning to Willow and losing the demon face she spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You've met him before?"

At once everyone got quiet. Even Spike.

Willow meekly nodded her head but offered no more on the matter.

Buffy turned to her Sire.

"Angel?"

Angel looked at Willow before meeting Buffy's eyes again.

"Seems that if anyone is going to tell you, it should be her. Well Willow or Xander."

Buffy knew Willow wasn't talking and turned her gaze on Xander, who was only to happy to tell.

"He's tried to kill us a bunch of times. Plus he kidnapped me and Willow and locked us in a basement." Xander stopped there, finally seeing the glares that everyone but Buffy were throwing him.

Buffy looked at her Sire before turning to Spike.

"I don't care about you or about Dru. I even think that your not giving a hundred and ten per cent and I kill you. Slowly."

Ignoring him she turned to Willow, running her tongue along her teeth to make sure she wasn't in game face.

"This is just too much. First the apocalypse gets accelerated, then my parents take an interest in my life and now we have to deal with Spike." Willow was close to her wits end.

Buffy pulled her in for a hug and led her over to the table to sit down.

"Parents?" Xander walked closer to his friend, taking the long way in order to bypass Spike.

Willow dropped her head to the table and threw her hands up in the air. Buffy ran her fingers through it and lowered her head to speak into Willow's ear, trying to ignore the shiver she felt from Willow.

"Do you want me to tell them?"

Willow nodded her head but kept it where it was.

Buffy sat up straighter and looked at Faith.

"Can Will stay with you for a while?"

Faith never asked why, feeling that Buffy was about to say, but nodded her head yes.

"Seems that someone contacted Willow's parents and told them of her new romantic involvement."

Xander slumped down in his chair and placed a comforting hand on Willow's shoulder.

"I take it they freaked?"

Buffy nodded at him and turned back to the group.

"Things were said and tempers were raised."

Buffy stopped once again. They didn't need to know the ins and outs of what happened unless Willow told them.

"So Willow's a-"

Spike never got to finish his sentence. Angel pounced and punched him on the nose before Buffy did worse. Stepping back, a smile graced his features.

"Childe. Sit down and be quiet." The look Spike gave him was murderous but yet he had no choice other than to comply.

Buffy was on her feet and pulling Willow up with her.

"Unless there was anymore surprises, we are going to go."

Just as they were about to leave Faith called them back and handed Willow her front door key.

Willow smiled her thanks and then they were gone, leaving Angel and Spike glaring at each other.

"You can't keep this up."

Angel smirked at Spike, and he was reminded of the not so nice side of his Sire.

"We'll see."

Part eleven

Buffy and Willow walked in silence back to the mansion. Willow didn't really want to be around everyone right now.

Buffy led them through the house and up to her room, closing the door and going over to light the fire to give the room some warmth.

"You have a nice room."

Buffy turned to see Willow sitting on the bed, her back against the wall it rested on.

"You think?" Buffy moved over and sat beside her, taking off her coat and boots and drawing her feet up under herself.

"Yeah, I mean, you got the big drapes on the windows, the space to move around, the fireplace and the big bed."

Buffy raised her eyes to meet Willow, not really sure where this conversation was going.

Her confusion must have been clear, because Willow moved.

She sat up on her knees so that she was facing Buffy before leaning in and kissing her.

She lifted her hands to cup Willow's face and traced her bottom lip with her tongue before taking it between her own lips and sucking.

Willow moved one hand to the nape of Buffy's neck and tightened her grip, pulling the unresisting vampire closer to her.

Willow had never been affected so much by a kiss, not even one of Buffy's, she forgot where she was, all she could feel was Buffy. Buffy's lips, Buffy's tongue. She wasn't in control, but then again, it looked like Buffy wasn't faring to well on that score either.

Willow whimpered and Buffy drew back. Looking into each others eyes they could see the same things reflected: desire, need, passion and love.

Buffy dove back in for another taste, and another before backing off to let Willow breath, trailing her lips along Willow's jaw line and down to her neck.

Buffy ran her tongue the length of the creamy flesh before her, before gently nipping with her teeth, causing Willow's body to shudder and arch into Buffy's.

That broke whatever spell Buffy was under and she jumped off the bed, putting space between them.

"I…we…god…" It seemed words failed the Vampire.

Willow was faring no better, she opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Buffy pulled back the drapes to let the cool air wash over her, even though she couldn't sweat, or actually have body heat, she felt like she was on fire.

Willow stared at her girlfriends back, wondering why she stopped.

"Buffy?" Willow had found her voice at last, though it came up husky.

Buffy shuddered at the sound.

"Yeah?" Buffy closed her eyes. Seems that her own voice wasn't what it usually was.

Willow stood up and walked over to Buffy, raising her hand and resting it against her girlfriends back.

When Buffy flinched, Willow withdrew her hand sharply.

Buffy noticed and spun around.

Willow was backing away with a look of horror on her face.

Buffy tried to follow, but Willow held up a hand, stopping her.

Buffy knew that she needed to nip whatever was wrong in the bud.

Reaching her girlfriend, she enveloped her in a hug and walked them over to the bed.

"Baby? What's wrong?"

Willow buried her head in Buffy's neck.

"You don't want me."

Buffy pushed Willow back so she could see her face.

"What? Where the hell did you get that idea?"

Willow blushed and buried her head again.

"Well, before, with the jumping off the bed, I kind of…wait you do want me?"

Buffy smirked before kissing Willow again, keeping it light.

"I want you so much it scares me."

"Really?" Willow moved up to start another kiss, but Buffy moved back after a few seconds.

"Willow, I want you, believe me, but you told me, not that long ago, that you weren't ready to go the whole way."

Willow kept silent, thinking about what Buffy was saying.

Buffy just sat there holding her, stoking her hand along Willow's back.

"We'll, I'm not really, but there is other stuff we can do. Isn't there?" Willow voice went from being confident to nervous, like she had gotten something wrong.

Buffy pulled back so she could see Willow's face.

"Tonight, when we were kissing, it was just you and me. I wasn't thinking about anything, or anyone else. There was no other reasons involved other than me wanting…" Willow broke off, but they both knew what she was going to say.

Buffy never hesitated. She moved in and claimed Willow's lips.

Lowering Willow to the bed, Buffy stretched out on top of her, keeping most of her weight off the redhead.

Lifting her head, Buffy met Willow's eyes and Willow could see the struggle her girlfriend was going through.

Buffy's eyes were flashing between hazel and gold, before she lowered her head and trailed her mouth along Willow's neck and down to her collarbone.

Willow was whimpering and squirming in no time.

Buffy slipped a leg in-between both of Willow's, and Willow let out a loud moan to show her approval.

Buffy brought her hand up and palmed Willow's breast through her clothing, wishing it was skin she was feeling.

She had never really understood the need to possess another person, to make them hers, until now. Even without a soul, she had never felt that need. She wanted to make Willow hers, mark the girl in ways that left no doubt that she belonged to her. But she knew it was too soon for that.

Their make out session ended abruptly when Buffy's hearing picked up raised voices out in the main room.

Hoisting herself up on her arms, she looked down into Willow's lust filled eyes and was tempted to just go back to what she had been doing when she recognized the voices, not to mention the vibes she got of family.

"Damn!"

Buffy rolled over and got to her feet, Willow followed her, though she moved slower than the Vampire had.

"What's going on?"

Buffy put her shoes back on and took Willow's hand.

"Seems my Sire and that piece of shit from earlier are here."

Willow's eyebrows rose slightly at Buffy's language.

Buffy noticed.

"What? I just really hate him."

Willow never said anything and together they walked out to greet the newcomers, both wishing that they were still in the bedroom, engaging in much more pleasant activities.

"What's going on?"

Spike and Angel both whipped around to face Buffy and Willow. Angel looked sheepish, Spike looked cocky. Buffy glared at Spike.

Willow looked at each Vampire before throwing her hands in the air and going into the kitchen to get a soda.

Buffy tracked Willow until she was out of the room before turning her gaze back on her Sire and Spike.

"Well well well, what did we interrupt then?" Spike clucked his tongue, a smirk on his face.

Buffy didn't have to hit Spike, as Angel did it for her, but she did anyway.

"Spike, sit."

Buffy smirked as Spike could only obey the command.

"Giles wants everyone in the library tomorrow at sundown."

Buffy nodded her head and Angel and turned when she heard the patter of Willow's feet.

"Giles wants us all to go the library at sundown tomorrow night." Willow nodded that she had heard Buffy and moved to sit on the couch, until she realized that Spike was already there.

Turning she sat on the hearth of the fire.

Angel looked from one childe to the other, sighing as he did so.

"Look, I know that you two don't get along, but of the sake of everything that is going to happen, deal with it."

Buffy moved to sit by Willow while Spike just glared at his Sire.

Willow was curled up, fast asleep in Buffy's bed. Buffy was sitting by the fire, watching her sleep.

She couldn't believe how lucky she was, to have this amazing girl with her.

/why are we all the way over here?/

'I'm trying to put things into perspective'

Buffy's demon gave a snort.

/what do you need perspective on? Which blood to let me have: cow or pig?/

'Willow can't just walk away from her family for me'

/the prick will come 'round./

'what if he doesn't? I couldn't make her chose between her family and me'

/she already made her choice/

'not really. I'm sure if she went back, her dad would want her there, emotions were running high tonight. He would want her back'

/only if we weren't there with her/

'that's what I need perspective on'

Buffy's demon never said anything for a while, and just as she thought it had lost interest, it spoke up again.

/don't you go and do something we will both regret/

Buffy never answered her demon. She knew that if it came down to a choice, she couldn't force Willow to choose.

/you should be concentrating on the apocalypse anyway and how we are getting her through it/

'thought you didn't mind the world ending'

/that was before/

Buffy never asked "before what" because she already knew the answer.

It was laying on her bed, not five foot from her.

Part twelve

The gang all met in the library just like Giles had asked.

Willow had left Buffy that morning to go to school, but Buffy had heard from Faith and Xander, that Willow had been withdrawn all day.

Buffy and Angel were already there before sundown, having used Sunnydale's tunnel system to move around during daylight hours.

Faith arrived next with Xander and Cordy with her.

Giles came out of his office just as Willow and Oz entered the library. Oz had his arm wrapped around Willow.

Buffy's eyes flashed but only Angel saw it. He really hoped she kept her temper. A jealous Buffy was not a good thing.

"Will?"

Willow looked up at the sound of her girlfriend's voice.

"Hey." She made no move from where she was. All day she had been thinking about what had happened with her parents.

Turning to look at Oz, she couldn't help compare her parent's reactions to both Buffy and Oz. They had liked him.

Buffy didn't know why, but she actually took a step back when she saw Willow turn to look at Oz and the frown that covered her face.

She felt a hand low on her back and turned to see Angel behind her.

"Keep calm." Only Buffy heard the muttered words.

"Will, what's wrong?" Seems the Slayer had snapped out of her conversation with Xander to see the look on Angel's face.

Willow looked at everyone staring at her, then she looked over at Buffy and Angel, and the way the latter seemed to be protecting Buffy. As she met Buffy's eyes, Willow realized that her girlfriend had picked up on if not what she was thinking, then what she was feeling.

Breaking away from Oz she walked over to Buffy, noting the look on Angel's face resembled one she had only seen that time he was Angelus.

"Nothing, just me being silly." Willow answered Faith's question but her eyes never left Buffy's.

Angel, happy that Buffy would be okay, backed away from her and moved over to Faith, sliding his arm around her.

Buffy noticed everyone staring, including Giles. She turned her attention to him.

"Why did you want us here?"

Buffy saw Willow's face drop but she focused on Giles.

Giles stood up straighter motioned everyone to sit. The all did apart from Angel and Buffy.

"The original reason was to go over everything we know and try to form a plan of attack-"

"Original?" The interruption came from Faith.

"Yes, well, I have good news and bad. The good is, we, that is to say Lou told me, we know when the fight is going to take place." Giles seemed to deflate.

Buffy looked at Angel before turning back to Giles.

"And the bad?" Faith hated it when he paused.

Giles took a deep breath and looked at his Slayer.

"It will happen tomorrow night."

No-one spoke but one person moved.

Buffy reached out and crushed Willow to her.

Five minutes later, Angel was pacing and growling, Buffy hadn't let go of Willow and still hadn't spoken, Faith was talking to Giles while throwing worrying glances at her lover, Xander was sitting at the table, his arm around Cordy and Oz was looking at the floor.

"Fuck!"

Everyone jumped at Angel's shout and looked over to see his arm buried in the wall beside the office entrance.

"Baby?" Faith walked over and gently pulled his hand and arm free.

"I'm okay."

He didn't look okay. In fact he looked a mixture of scared, angry and like he wanted to start killing things.

Buffy knew how he felt, she was right there with him, as was Faith.

"You might be now, but if you lot don't get your asses in gear, things are about to get hairy."

Seven sets of eyes turned to see Lou standing there with Fang, as ever, by her side.

"Lou, how the hell do you know this is going to happen so soon?"

Lou looked uncomfortable and shifted on her feet.

"The Powers told me. They were getting antsy I think."

Buffy pulled Willow tighter to her.

"Do you know anything else about the fight?"

This time Lou smiled.

"That I do. I can't tell you much, but what I can say is that the demon has a very large weakness, one that both Buffy and Angel share. It can only operate at night in this dimension."

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"So that means we have to stay alive for eight hours fighting this thing until the sun kills it." As she spoke, her confidence wavered.

"How are we supposed to last eight hours? And what about Angel and Buffy?"

Lou looked towards the two Vampires in question and they were able to read the look she was sending them before she turned back to Faith.

"They will be there of course. This was the reason they were given back their souls remember."

Buffy looked over at Angel and he nodded at her that he had understood what Lou wasn't saying. She lowered her head and kissed the top of Willow's, earning the first smile Willow had all day.

If Buffy was going to die the next day, all she wanted, was to spend her last one with Willow.

Part thirteen

Willow kept glancing at Buffy from the corner of her eye, and it was starting to bug the Vampire.

"What?"

Willow stopped walking, making Buffy stop as well.

They had all parted ways a little while ago, and were on their way to the mansion.

"You have been quiet since we left the others. Are you okay?"

Buffy snorted and raised Willow's hand to her lips, placing a small kiss on the knuckles.

"No, I not okay. Nowhere near it in fact." Buffy looked up to see tears forming in Willow's eyes and leaned forward, pressing their lips together.

/mmm you finally did good, you know that?/

Hot met cold, and Willow was reminded of the way Buffy had made her feel the night before.

"But I will be." Buffy didn't know if she was telling the truth herself. She had no clue about the outcome of the fight. But she didn't want Willow worrying until it was over.

They had decided that only the Slayer, the three Vampires, Giles and Lou were going to be involved in this fight. As well as fang.

Xander, Willow, Cordy and Oz were being kept away from it. They were staying at the mansion, waiting until it was all over.

One way or the other.

/stop being so broody. I hate that. If we die, she dies, and that is unacceptable/

Buffy agreed with her demon fully.

Willow smiled and leaned back in, initiating another kiss.

Every time they kissed felt like the first to Willow. She loved the feel of Buffy's cool lips and tongue on her hot ones. She got aroused at the slightest touch of that cool tongue tracing her bottom lip as it was now.

Buffy pulled back when she heard Willow whimper and started them walking again back to the mansion.

"What's Angel and Faith doing tonight then?"

Buffy stopped walking again and just looked at Willow. After a minute or two, Willow's eyes widened.

"Right. Stupid question really."

Buffy nodded her head, a small smile on her face at Willow's blush. She gave her a peck on the lips and had them walking again in no time, unaware of the thoughts going through her girlfriends head.

Something clicked in Willow's head. She knew Faith and Angel would be together tonight, and she wanted to be with Buffy. Fully.

She didn't want the world to end without knowing what it felt like to be with the person, or Vampire, you loved.

Buffy could hear Willow's heart rate increase and wondered what she was thinking, however the Vampire that had just jumped out in front of them delayed that train of thought.

Buffy pushed Willow behind her and faced off against the Vampire, glad to release some of the frustration she had inside her.

The Vampire leered at Buffy and licked his fangs.

Buffy rolled her eyes and missed the first punch. Her head spun around, but she never moved.

Growling, she vamped out and turned cold golden eyes to the stunned demon.

He had the grace to look surprised before she launched into an attack.

Willow watched as Buffy took out her aggression on the Vampire, who had to be at least a decade old considering he was taking all of her shots and even getting in a few of his own.

Buffy staked the vamp and turned, still in game face to Willow.

From the beginning of their relationship, Buffy had tried to keep her demon away from it, but she was worked up, and worried, never a good combination.

Willow stared into the golden eyes of her girlfriend, and despite not wanting to, she felt a little fear.

Buffy could smell it, and she wanted to howl at the thought of Willow still being afraid of her.

/give her time/

Instead, she pushed back the demon and held her hand out for Willow to take.

They reached the mansion ten minutes later, Buffy heading straight to the fireplace to light it.

Willow took off her coat and shoes and curled up on the couch, waiting for Buffy to join her.

Buffy took a calming breath, amusing since she didn't breathe, and turned to face Willow.

"Hey."

Willow smiled and beckoned Buffy closer.

"Hey." Willow pulled Buffy down onto the couch beside her and snuggled into the Vampire's arms.

Buffy placed a kiss on top of Willow's head and settled into some quality snuggle time.

Willow had other ideas.

Placing her hand on Buffy's thigh, she started drawing small circles with her fingers, knowing Buffy could feel each movement because of the leather pants she was wearing.

Buffy sucked in a breath, but made no other moves.

Willow moved her hand higher, still making those small circles.

Out of their own free will, as if her hands were not attached to her body, Buffy began tracing her own circles on Willow's hip.

Willow's heart rate increased, causing her to breathe more deeply.

Buffy turned so that they were facing each other, before closing the gap between them.

The kiss started slow and gentle, but soon spiraled into a passionate one.

Buffy traced Willow's mouth with her tongue, before delving inside and tangling it with Willow's.

Willow moved her right hand to Buffy's face, caressing the cheek before sliding it around to the back of her neck and stroking the soft skin she found there.

Buffy deepened the kiss before pulling Willow into her lap. She used her left hand to draw Willow tighter against her body, while the right hand slid up under her shirt to caress her back.

Willow moaned and broke the kiss, gasping for air.

Buffy moved her kisses along Willow's jaw and down to her neck, searching for her pulse point before locking onto it and sucking, causing a hickey to appear.

All Willow could do was moan and pull the Vampire tighter against her neck.

Willow knew Buffy would let her take the led in anything they did, and that gave her courage, she didn't even stop to think about the heat flowing through her body.

Buffy moved her kisses to Willow's ear.

"Willow…you smell so good." Buffy latched onto Willow's ear lob and sucked gently, sending bolts of desire through the redhead.

Willow pulled back and met Buffy's gaze. Reaching down, she grabbed the hem of her shirt and took a deep breath before pulling it up and off, exposing her bra clad breasts to Buffy.

"You are so beautiful." Buffy bent her head, kissing along Willow's neck to her collarbone, but stopping herself from going any further.

Willow placed her hand on the back of Buffy's neck, urging her to go lower.

"Are you sure?"

Willow nodded her head and expected Buffy to just dive right in.

She didn't.

Buffy stood up and gathered Willow up into her arms before heading off to her bedroom.

If this was going to happen, she didn't want any interruptions.

Buffy set Willow down by the bed and looked over her soon-to-be-lover with hungry eyes.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Buffy started unbuttoning her own shirt, but Willow's hands haltered her movements.

"Let me."

Buffy's hands fell away and she waited while Willow raised shaking hands to undress her.

By the time the last button was undone, Buffy was on fire with need. Willow had made sure to keep as much contact between them as possible.

"God I want you." Willow never got a chance to reply as she was soon kissing Buffy again, more eagerly than ever before.

"My turn."

Buffy's hands went to the buttons of Willow's jeans before she stopped and raised her head.

"Are you sure?"

Willow lifted her own hands and placed them on top of Buffy's, leading hers once again to the buttons.

"I'm ready."

Their eyes met, and both knew, that whatever happened after tonight, even if the world ended, that for tonight, they were loved, they were whole.

"Make love to me." It wasn't a question.

Buffy dropped to her knees, breathing deeply, taking in the scent of Willow's arousal.

Raising her hands, she settled them on each side of Willow's hips and gently tugged at the white cotton panties she found there.

They were so Willow.

Pure and innocent.

Soon Willow was naked. Buffy instructed her to lie on the bed while she divested herself of her own clothes.

She didn't think she could stand Willow doing it.

She crawled onto the bed to join her redheaded lover…no Mate.

Mate. The word rolled around inside Buffy's head for a few seconds, and she wondered if Willow would allow her to claim her before the night was out.

It was still early after all.

/MINE/

Pushing the thought away, Buffy lowered her face, trailing her lips over Willow's face, starting with her closed eyes, to the bridge of her nose, to finally, her mouth.

They kissed as though it was their first and their last. With desperation, need and passion, but also longing, love and care.

"Love you." It felt so good to say those words to someone.

"Love you back." But it felt even better to hear them Buffy thought.

She knew this was Willow's first time, and she vowed to make it perfect.

Moving on from her lover's lips, Buffy moved to her neck, sucking briefly on the pulse again, before heading south, pausing to nibble on Willow's collarbone before moving onto her breasts.

Willow gasped as Buffy took one of her hard nipples into her mouth, gently sucking on it, making it harder.

"God Buffy…" the rest of what Willow wanted to say was lost as she gasped and moaned as her lover attended her breasts.

Buffy couldn't get enough. Willow tasted as good as she imagined.

Pulling back, she let the nipple leave her mouth with a loud pop, before moving onto the neglected breast.

The reaction Willow gave this time was double that of the last.

Arching up, Willow ground her centre against Buffy's thigh, moaning in delight at the friction she found.

After taking her fill of her lover's breasts, Buffy trailed her mouth down, placing nipping kisses along the way, only one goal in mind.

To see Willow climax.

At the first stoke of Buffy's tongue on her core, Willow yelped and arched her back as hard as she could.

Buffy reached round and anchored her lover to the bed with her hands holding her in place.

"Be still." Those were the last words she spoke for a while.

Willow was vocal though. She was torn between screaming at the sensations going through her and pleading with Buffy to stop, don't stop, go faster, go slower, harder and deeper.

If she had been in her right mind, Willow would have blushed at her own behavior.

Buffy loved it. It was a side she had never seen of the girl below her. And one she could only hope to see again.

Deciding to end her torment, Buffy's lips attached themselves to Willow's clit, her tongue lashing it while she worked a finger inside her lover's tight body.

She could feel the barrier that proclaimed Willow's innocence and raised her body up, after giving the girls clit one final lick, until they were face to face.

"I'm sorry baby, but this is only going to hurt for a minute."

Willow's eyes opened wide before she yanked Buffy's face down to her own, not caring that her lover's face was smeared with her own juices.

Buffy knew Willow was wet enough for her finger to slide the whole way in easily, but she needed to be sure.

Slowly, she worked in a second finger, kissing away Willow's gasp of pain.

"Sshh baby, I'll make it all better."

Gently, she worked her fingers into the second knuckle and paused, applying firm pressure to Willow's clit.

That was all it took.

As Willow exploded into her first orgasm, Buffy pushed through the barrier, stealing Willow's virginity.

Willow whimper of pain reached Buffy's ears and the Vampire kissed away her tears.

Willow had never been in so much pain. She didn't know pain like this existed.

But to her surprise, it only lasted a few minutes, before it ebbed away.

She was amazed to feel that Buffy was building her up into another climax.

"God, love you." Willow panted, even as her orgasm hit.

Buffy watched as Willow came, her name on her lips.

/yup, still got it/

Willow couldn't keep her eyes open. She felt like every bone in her body had turned to mush.

Buffy smiled and placed a tender kiss on Willow's forehead, snuggling into the warm body of her lover and watching as she slept.

Closing her eyes, Buffy prayed to anyone that would listen, begging for the chance to do this again.

Part fourteen

Buffy woke up to feel soft lips wrapped around her nipple.

Growling, she reached down and moved the strand of red hair that was hiding her lover's face.

Willow smirked and pulled back, letting Buffy's nipple pop as the Vampire had done to her a few hours before.

She had woken up a few minutes ago to feel Buffy's strong arms wrapped around her, their naked bodies pressed tightly together.

She remembered the pleasure she had felt, and felt guilty that she had fallen asleep on Buffy.

That was how she came to be sucking on her lover's nipples.

"Hey."

Buffy smiled down and the girl practically on top of her and cocked her eyebrow.

Willow gave her an impish smile and raised herself up until they were eye level.

"Hey."

Buffy raised her head off the pillow and took Willow's lips in a gentle kiss.

When Willow tried to move back down, Buffy held fast, enjoying the kiss way to much to let that mouth disappear.

"Mmm, I want to play," Willow pouted at Buffy, who laughed d rested her hands behind her head.

"Then by all means, play away."

Willow gave Buffy a downright naughty look with caused the demon to groan before she lowered her head, once again tracing Buffy's nipple with her tongue, while her fingers worked on the neglected breast.

"Please…" Buffy never begged, yet here she was, begging this seventeen year old to…she didn't even know what she wanted Willow to do to her, she just knew she felt like she was on fire laying on the bed, Willow on top of her and both of them naked.

Her lust from a few hours go came back full force and she growled, wrapping a hand in Willow's hair and pulling her mouth tighter to her breast.

"More…"

Willow responded to Buffy's plea and nipped the nipple she held in her mouth.

She got a very loud growl as a reward.

Buffy thrust up, needing friction. Willow shifted until one of her legs was between both of Buffy's.

"Ahh…god…want you…" Buffy reached down blindly, touching any piece of Willow's skin she could get at.

Knowing she wasn't brave enough yet to go down on Buffy, Willow raised her eyes, but didn't move her mouth, and moved one hand down the blonde's body.

Buffy groaned when she felt Willow's hand descent.

Willow reached Buffy's sex just as their eyes met.

Buffy was caught between a growl and a purr when Willow slid her index finger through her soaked folds.

"Willow…"

Willow smiled as her finger searched out Buffy's clit, finding it standing to attention and waiting on her.

"You're so wet…"

Buffy groaned, and thrust her hips up into Willow's hand.

Dipping down, Willow gently inserted one finger into Buffy's cool body, marveling at the sensation of actually being inside another person.

Looking up, it wasn't hazel eyes she saw looking back at her. It was the demon's golden gaze she found.

It hit her then.

She wasn't afraid. Not of Buffy and not of her demon.

She had kissed Buffy when she was in vamp face, when that whole deal with her dad had happened, but never since, Buffy was careful to keep that side of her away.

Willow found out, that looking into the golden eyes of her lover, that she got a thrill at having the power she now had over such a strong Vampire.

Thrusting her finger in harder and deeper, she was rewarded by Buffy rising to meet her and babbling her pleasure.

Willow lifted her head until they were eye level and stared, unblinkingly into Buffy's golden gaze.

Lowering her head, she kissed her carefully around her fangs before a thought came to her.

Purposely, she nicked her tongue on a sharp tooth and let the blood drizzle into Buffy's mouth.

Buffy went wild.

Bucking up, she came, a roar escaping her at the taste of her lover's blood.

"Mine!"

Both the soul and demon were working together, both swearing to protect the girl they loved.

Rearing up, Buffy flipped them over and brought her own hand to Willow's dripping wetness.

Still in game face, her fingers buried in Willow's body, Buffy's gaze was drawn to Willow's neck.

Willow saw where the Vampire was looking, and without her knowledge, her head turned, exposing her neck.

Buffy growled and picked up her pace. Thrusting into her lover's body even as she thrust herself on Willow's thigh, keeping gin mind that Willow might be sore from their earlier passion.

Willow couldn't take it anymore. As the first wave of orgasm hit her, she grabbed Buffy by the neck, and pulled her down to her neck.

Buffy growled as her fangs slid into Willow's skin, tasting her lover for the second time, her own orgasm hitting just as Willow spiraling into her second before the first had finished.

When she came back to herself, Buffy looked down to see Willow passed out beneath her.

Fro a second, she worried she had taken too much of her blood. She had not fed on a human in so long, she was worried that she had lost control.

The steady rise and fall of Willow's chest eased her mind, and she bent her head, licking her marks, knowing that Willow now belonged to her and that the mark would proclaim that.

Purring, Buffy snuggled into Willow's warm body, for once in her very long life, both human and demonic, Buffy was truly happy.

Part fifteen

Willow sat, her gaze locked on the clock above the fire place.

The others had been gone for four hours. The battle had finally come.

And she couldn't shake the thought that she would never see Buffy again.

She trembled and barely noticed when Xander wrapped her up in a hug, nor did she notice the tears that fell from her face.

"They'll be fine, you'll see. The good guys always win."

Willow stood up angrily and marched away before stopping and spinning around to face Xander, Cordy and Oz.

"The good guys only win in the movies Xander. Something's wrong, I know it. I can feel it."

Turning, she ran into Buffy's room and threw herself on the bed, sobbing and breathing in the comforting smell of her lover.

The fight had started, unsurprisingly, at the high school. It didn't stay there for long though.

They were now outside the school, fighting in the Quad, and losing.

Angel tackled the demon from behind, Faith from the side, and Buffy head on.

It wasn't what she was expecting.

Where she was expecting it to be massive, it was only a little over six feet tall.

Where she was expecting it to look like a creature straight out of a horror movie, it didn't. It looked almost human. The only tell tail signs were the red eyes, the fangs, and the strength.

Buffy dodged a kicked that she was sure would have really hurt and rolled to the side to regroup, closing her eyes and thinking of Willow.

/time for that later. Get up and finish this so we can get back to her/

Buffy's eyes opened and met Angel's.

The sun would rise soon.

They needed to finish this.

They both knew what was at stake, no pun intended, if they didn't kill the demon before the sun rose.

He gave a nod and his gaze shot to Faith when she screamed.

The demon had bitten into her shoulder.

Enraged, Angel, hell Angelus as well, howled and charged, aiming a vicious swing with his sword to the demons arm.

He connected. But the sword got stuck halfway through.

Needless to say, the demon didn't take kindly to that.

"Shit. Faith, double back behind Buffy."

Faith follow his order moved over to Buffy.

"This fucker dies tonight."

Buffy looked up when she heard a howl.

Fang, Lou and Spike had finally made it through the Vampires, demons and god only knew what else that had stopped them.

Faith, Angel and Buffy had been fighting solo the entire night.

All three in a pretty bad way.

The others had stayed behind to take care of the demons followers.

Something they didn't think about before. That the demon would have supporters.

"Calvary's here."

Angel bounded back to avoid fangs and spotted the others at the same time as Buffy.

Turning, he growled and charged, knowing that the rest were behind him.

They fought hard and fast, but the demon wasn't showing any signs of slowing down.

The only advantage they had, was that it would be daybreak soon.

/hurry it up already! I want Willow/

'tell me about it'

"Why do you fight me? It would be much easier if you didn't, your deaths would be quick, though still painful." That was what the demon was saying, but nobody could understand.

All they could hear was loud grunting noises.

"Angel!" Faith's shout had Angel ducking just as the demon took aim at him with one of the swords they gang had brought with them.

/let me out/

Buffy actually paused in her fighting, moving out of the way and letting Spike take her place.

'are you for real? We're kind of busy here'

/if you let me out, I can do far more damage than you, you always hold back/

'I'm not holding back! I know the risks'

/you also know, that between me and Angelus, this thing doesn't stand a chance/

'so that's why the powers needed us to have souls! Get real, there's nothing you can do that I can'

/the only reason we were given souls, was to make us fight on their side and you know it. They couldn't risk us being fighting against them/

Buffy never responded. Her gaze sought out Angel, seeing him still fighting.

"Angel!" Angel turned when he heard Buffy's shout.

She motioned him over.

"Right now? I'm kind of busy here Buff."

"It's important." They didn't have much time.

Lou took Angel's place as he left to go to the sidelines to talk to Buffy.

"This had better be important." He eyes never let Faith, making sure his lover was okay.

"You have to let Angelus out."

His head whipped around to face her.

"You've gone mad!"

Buffy tugged on his arm when he started to head back to the fight.

"You know I'm right. I'm sure Angelus has been talking to you, just like my demon has been to me. You know they can hurt this thing. It's not like they would be free, just that they would be in control for the fight."

Angel closed his eyes, listening to his own demon agree with Buffy's.

"It's that, or everyone here dies."

That clinched it for him.

Faith was not allowed to die tonight.

Reverting back to game face, Angelus growled and watched as Buffy did the same.

"Finally, free and we have to save the damn world Childe. How ironic."

Buffy's demon smirked at her Sire before joining him in facing the demon.

The fight was about to turn in their favor, but they still had to beat the rising sun.

Willow jerked away. She had fallen asleep, her head buried in Buffy's pillow.

Looking at the clock, she saw that it was only a few minutes until sunrise.

"Let them be okay…please god let her be okay."

The demon was on its knees. The combined attack of the Slayer, Lou, Fang, Spike, Buffy and Angelus having finally crippled it.

Buffy and Angelus had been ruthless. Spike had watched his Sire before their eyes met.

Seeing that it was Angelus in control, he allowed himself to hope that he would see Dru again.

Faith stepped back as Lou took her place.

"Angel, right side."

Angelus send a hard look her way, confusing Faith.

No-one told him what to do.

But seeing as how it was his Mate, he made the exception.

Buffy kept one eye on her Sire, reveling in the violence.

'you won't be in control for long'

/god will you just let me enjoy this/

Shaking her to clear thoughts of the soul, Buffy's demon charged at the same time everyone else did.

"Will? They should be back soon, you want to come out and have some food?"

Willow didn't acknowledge Xander, she just stared at the wall, a blank look on her face.

It was over, but they were too late.

The demon was too weak to move. It was just laying there on the grass, trying pitifully to stand and escape the rising sun.

Angelus stared in horror as the sun began to rise.

There was a building a good fifty feet from where they were now. The door had been smashed in when Faith was thrown against it.

But they would never reach it in time, they would be dust first.

Faith wasn't about to let her lover die, even if he was acting strangely.

Gathering up the rest of her strength, Faith ran at Angel and threw everything she was into it.

Jumping in the air, she used her momentum to throw them back.

It wasn't enough to clear the entire distance, but Angelus had an inkling of what his Mate was doing, and smoking, he sprinted across the distance that separated him from safety.

Just as he reached the shade, he fell to his knees, howling out his rage as one of his Childer turned to dust.

Part sixteen

~You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Among the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold~

Willow heard Angel's voice, asking where she was, from Buffy's room.

Jumping up, she ran into the main room, jerking to a stop, and searching for Buffy.

Angel saw her first. He saw as her mouth opened and closed before she rushed past them, looking for someone.

Looking for Buffy.

Silent tears ran down Willow's face. Faith hobbled over to her best friend and wrapped the heartbroken girl up in a hug.

Angel paced the floor, wishing he could go back, change what had happened.

Looking over at the crying redhead, he averted his gaze, unable to watch the tears he was responsible for.

~So she took her love for to gaze awhile
Among the fields of barley
In her arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold~

She was gone. That was the only thought running through Willow's head.

Buffy was gone.

Dust.

She felt like her heart had been ripped out.

Willow looked up to see Angel pacing the floor, and knew that he was hurting too.

Moving out of Faith's arms, she closed the distance between them.

Angel stopped pacing when he saw the redhead approach, wondering if she was going to hit him.

He would let her.

He deserved it.

He let Buffy die.

Not once did it cross his mind that he had been in no position to save Buffy, but even if it had, it wouldn't have mattered.

Angel…Angelus, blamed themselves for the death of their most favourite Childe.

A Sire was supposed to protect their Childer.

Willow surprised him. Throwing her arms around him, she broke down fully.

Collapsing to the floor, Angel held the sobbing redhead in his arms, his own silent tears falling.

~Will you stay with me will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
And you can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold~

Giles returned from the bathroom with the first aid supplies.

His job had been simple. He was to provide the transport to get Angel, Buffy and Spike out of the sun and to safety and to stay out of harms way until he was needed.

He had failed. Sure, Angel and Spike had made it.

Buffy hadn't.

Looking up, he focused on the people before him.

Faith was bleeding from several places and would need stitches.

Spike was on the floor, passed out from the pain.

Fang was whimpering in a corner, licking his wounds.

Lou was trying to contact the Powers.

And Angel, he was holding the sobbing redhead.

~I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left
We will walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold~

"What happened?" Angel could barely hear the words, the sobs distorting them.

"The sun rose." He didn't know the rest himself.

One minute, she was there, running behind him and Faith, the next, she was gone Spike was there.

"She saved me."

Willow turned to face Spike.

He had passed out on the way home. The pain from his wounds and burns becoming too much.

"What?" That didn't make sense to Willow.

Buffy hated Spike. Why would she save him at the risk of her own life?

"I fell just as we were closing in on their shelter. I thought I was gone. Then she was there. She grabbed me and threw me, when I turned around, she was gone."

Willow stared at him before breaking away from Angel and moving over to Spike.

She fell on top of him, punching anywhere she could. Shouting at him, a voice full of hate, everyone present looked on in shock.

Strong hands pulled her off and she turned around, crying into Giles chest.

~I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left
We will walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold~

That had been eight hours ago.

Willow was still in Buffy's room, refusing to leave. Angel was there with her while Faith was getting checked out at the hospital.

He had wanted to stay with his Mate, but the sun was still out and wouldn't be going down for a few hours.

He closed his eyes as an image of Buffy flashed through his eyes.

He had never felt the loss of a Childe until today.

He hoped to never feel it again.

~Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
As you lie in fields of gold~

Willow had finally fallen into a restless sleep, whimpering every now and then.

Angel didn't know how she was going to cope.

He had seen the mark on her neck. Knew what it meant.

Buffy and Willow had Mated.

Angel wouldn't be surprised if Willow had felt Buffy die like he had.

Looking up, he saw Spike by the door.

"You better not come in. You seen what she was like today. If she wakes and you're here…"

He trailed off, knowing Spike got the message.

"Was just wondering if you've fed again?"

Angel shook his head no. He had fed earlier, but he'd been too busy looking after Willow to feed again.

Spike disappeared and returned with a mug of blood and gave it to his Sire before leaving the room.

As Angel drank the blood, he gaze traveled to the picture frame on the dresser.

It was one of Angelus, Buffy, Darla, Dru, Penn and Spike when they had been in china.

Buffy had wanted a drawing of them all together. Darla hadn't wanted to get it done, but Angelus had talked her round by promising her the drawer as a thank you.

~You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Among the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold~

Willow rolled over and looked at Angel, who had finally fallen asleep.

It was dark, she didn't know what time it was as she climbed from the bed and walked over to the window before pulling back the heavy drapes.

The cool night air hit her face and stung her eyes.

Last night, she and Buffy had been making love.

Now, Buffy was dust.

Leaning heavily against the window, Willow missed the bedroom door opening, or Angel stirring up on the bed.

She missed his look of shock registering on his face.

The first clue she had that there was someone else in the room, besides her and Angel, was the whispered voice calling her name.

Turning, she stared in shock at who she saw.

Buffy stood there, dried blood caked her clothing, but there was a smile on her face.

"Buffy?"

No-one was there to catch Willow as she fell. Luckily, she slid down the wall, landing in an unconscious heap at the bottom.

Part seventeen

Faith was sitting in front of the fireplace, staring into nothing when she saw something move from the corner of her eye.

Spinning, she saw Buffy.

"B?"

Buffy nodded at Faith, but the Slayer wasn't who Buffy wanted right now.

"Where's Will?"

Faith stood up in shock, noticing that Lou, Giles, Spike, Xander, Cordy and Oz, all had similar looks on their faces.

They had thought the Vampire was dead, Angel had even told them he felt her die.

"You're alive? How?"

Buffy's eyes widened at that. If they were asking, it meant they thought she was dead.

Finding Willow suddenly became more important.

Closing her eyes, Buffy concentrated on her Mate and ignored the others.

She was in the mansion, Buffy could feel her.

Not stopping to answer their questions, Buffy ran to where she knew Willow was.

Her bedroom.

Opening the door to her room, she saw Angel sit up on her bed, and Willow standing by the window.

For once, Buffy completely ignored her Sire.

"Willow." She was the only one who was able to say Willow's name like that, soft, almost reverently.

She watched as Willow turned, watched as her eyes widened and watched as her Mate fainted.

Cursing, Buffy shuffled her aching body over to Willow.

Dropping to the floor, Buffy cradled Willow's head in her lap, making a soothing purr to reassure her Mate.

Buffy felt two strong arms circle her and she looked into the tearful eyes of her Sire.

"Buffy?"

Buffy managed a small smile, before her eyes went back to Willow's face, looking for signs that her lover was waking.

Willow's eyes fluttered. As they opened, she saw a sight that made her gasp.

Buffy was above her, looking worried. But alive…well as much as a vamp could be.

Not saying anything, Willow threw her arms up and pulled Buffy's head down, bruising her own lips through the force of her kiss.

Angel stood, and with one last look at his Childe, he left her alone with her Mate.

Willow started crying sometime during the kiss and Buffy pulled back.

Wiping at her lovers tears, Buffy asked if she was okay.

"Happy tears."

Willow trembled as she reached for Buffy again before she stopped.

"Where were you? We thought you were dead."

She had guessed as much.

"The sun was rising and we were running for cover when Spike tripped. I went back and pushed him on, but I knew I wouldn't make it. I looked around for shelter but couldn't see any. I thought that was it. Then I looked down. There was a grate. I figured that it would be a sewer entrance and I could make my way back to the mansion, but it turned out to be an old bomb shelter, from the décor, I'm guessing it was built in the fifties during the Cold War."

Willow hadn't known there was a bomb shelter in Sunnydale, other than the one Ford used that time to trick Faith.

"Why didn't you come here?"

Buffy gave her a funny look.

"It was kind of sunny out and I couldn't break through the brick. If those places are bomb proof, they are Buffy proof too."

Willow rolled her eyes, thanking god that she had Buffy back.

"First thing tomorrow, I'm getting you a cell phone."

Buffy smiled and hugged Willow to her.

"I wouldn't know how to use one. No point anyway. I'm not going to let you get that far away from now on."

For once in her life, demon and soul were in perfect harmony. They both wanted the same thing.

Willow.

Only trouble was, her body was in no state to act on that want, that need just yet.

Later, when she had healed.

When Buffy went to stand, Willow gripped her tighter, not wanting to let go yet.

Tightening her grip around Willow, Buffy sat there on the floor, the redhead in her lap, and closed her eyes, never remembering ever felling so alive.

"Angel felt you die."

It came out of the blue, and Buffy's eyes widened.

"He felt me die?" It wasn't possible. She hadn't died. Sure, she had passed out during the day, but she never died.

"That's what he said." Willow nuzzled her face into Buffy's neck, consoling herself that her lover was alive.

"He didn't feel me die, but he could have felt a Childe die."

Lifting her head, Willow's eyes met Buffy's.

Standing as one, they left the room to find Angel.

"Sire?"

Angel's head snapped up before he jumped up and approached Buffy and Willow.

"Buffy."

Willow wouldn't let Buffy go to embrace her Sire, and Angel noticed.

Closing the distance between them, he threw his arms around them both.

"I thought you were dead. I felt you die."

Buffy pulled back, hating what she was about to say.

"Sire, you felt a Childe die."

As soon as the words hit Angel, he froze.

It wasn't Spike, and it wasn't Buffy. That only left Penn and…

"Dru! It's not Dru…I would know. She's my Mate. I would know." Spike was quite adamant on that.

"Then that leaves Penn." Angel wasn't sure how he felt about that. But Penn was evil, and Buffy was alive.

"So…how did you beat the sun?"

Buffy groaned.

"Later. I'm hungry." Turning, Buffy headed into the kitchen, Willow on her heels.

She was too hungry and drained to worry about what Willow might think of her.

Vamping, she ripped into a bag of blood and drained it empty before taking another one and heating it up in the microwave.

Willow handed her a cup and together, they headed back into the main room for Buffy to retell her tale of beating the sun.

A few hours later, Willow woke up to Faith shaking her.

She had fallen asleep at the mansion, wrapped around Buffy, who was still sleeping.

"What?"

"Your dads on my cell."

Willow fell back to the bed with a thud, waking Buffy who shot out of bed growling.

Faith jumped back, knowing that if Buffy was anything like Angel, she would hit first and ask questions later.

Willow tugged on Buffy's arm to get her back into bed while she told Faith to tell her dad she would talk to him later on.

Buffy pulled Willow back into her arms as Faith left the room. She was soon in a dead sleep, leaving Willow to wonder what her dad had wanted, and how he got Faith's cell phone number.

Part eighteen

Buffy knew she was being stared at. Opening her eyes, she saw two green ones above her.

"Hey."

Willow smiled before leaning down for a kiss, keeping her weight off Buffy's body, knowing that her lover would be sore.

"Hey."

Buffy smiled even as her eyes slipped closed again.

Willow watched, knowing that Buffy was tired. Everyone had crashed after the battle. Buffy had the delayed reaction and was making up for it now.

Slipping out of bed, she smiled as Buffy groaned her in her sleep before snuggling into Willow's pillow.

Leaving the room, she made her way to the kitchen. It suddenly registered that she hadn't eaten in two days.

"How is she?"

Willow saw Faith sitting at the counter, a cup of coffee in her hands.

"Sleeping."

Faith returned her gaze to her cup, watching as the few remaining coffee beans floated around the top.

Willow noticed the look on her best friends face.

"What's wrong?"

Faith looked up, a tear falling from her eye.

"Angel. There was something different about him yesterday. During the battle, he changed. It was like his personality went a complete three sixty."

Willow's brow furrowed and she considered what her friend was saying.

"Maybe it was just the heat of the battle?" It was poised more as a question than a solid statement, but Faith latched onto it.

"Yeah, your right, that's probably it. Thanks Will." standing, the Slayer left the redhead to her own coffee and went to curl up with her lover, putting the thoughts that had been running through her mind away for now.

Willow watched her go, a frown on her face.

Turning back to her coffee, which she knew she really shouldn't drink, her thoughts turned to her father.

How had he gotten Faith's cell phone number? Had he asked her mom for it?

"Hey Will."

Willow jumped. She hadn't heard Xander come up behind her. She didn't even know he was still there.

"Hey Xand. Is Oz and Cordy still here?"

"Yeah," he slumped into the chair beside her.

"How's Buffy?"

A smile graced Willow's face as she thought of her lover, who was safe in bed.

"Healing. She's asleep now."

Xander watched as Willow spaced out, thinking about Buffy no doubt.

Looking up, he saw Buffy enter the room, still looking worse for wear.

The blood soaked clothes were gone, as was the blood covering the visible skin. In its place were cuts and bruising that wouldn't fade for a day or two.

Even Angel and Faith still looked bad. Spike looked worse if that was possible and Lou and Fang had disappeared.

Xander didn't know if that was a good thing or not.

Willow hadn't noticed Buffy, and he was about to nudge her when Buffy shook her head no.

Heading to the fridge, she took out a blood bag and put it in the microwave. Pulling up a chair, she sat down beside her Mate, who still hadn't noticed her.

"Will, wherever you are, can I come too?"

Willow snapped out of it and spun to see Buffy sitting beside her.

"Don't worry, you were there with me."

The microwave dinged and Buffy moved to get her food. Willow stopped her and got up to do it herself.

Xander felt ill. Sure, he liked Buffy, better than he liked Angel even. But she was still a vamp, and that just didn't sit well with him.

Buffy saw the look on his face, but she was exhausted and didn't want to get into it.

/couldn't we just eat him?/

'Willow wouldn't like it'

/I notice that you aren't against the idea completely/

'we don't eat people anymore, remember?'

The demon growled and Xander jumped.

Buffy looked guilty for scaring him, but he shrugged it off.

Willow set the blood down in front of her, and Buffy couldn't help her groan. She was hungry. She had fed when she got back to the mansion, but she was hurt, and her demon was hungry.

Not caring about Xander, Buffy downed her blood before rinsing the cup and steeping it in hot water to make sure she got all the blood off.

Turning, she saw the look on Xander's face and wondered what was wrong.

Willow saw what her friend was looking at. Standing up, she reached up and wiped away the blood that was clinging to Buffy's chin. Before she could wipe it off her own hand, Buffy brought the blood coated digits to her mouth, and licked them clean.

Willow couldn't help the shudder than raced through her body, and Buffy growled lightly at the look of lust in her Mate's eyes.

Neither noticed Xander bolting from the room.

Buffy pulled Willow to her and hoisted her up onto the kitchen island, planting her Mate firmly on its surface and attacking her lips.

/FINALLY/

Willow moaned as she felt her lovers tongue mesh with her own.

Buffy growled low at the moan, loving the way Willow responded to her.

Never before had she felt anything like she did when she was with Willow.

Sure, she had other lovers, but she would only ever have one Mate.

And that was the redhead currently whimpering her name.

Willow pulled back to breathe, but Buffy wouldn't let that stop her.

She trailed her lips over Willow's jaw, moving down to her neck and sucking sharply at her mark.

"Oh God!" Willow came with a cry, her body jerking forward to Buffy's as a result of her small orgasm.

Buffy growled and purred, sucking harder, bringing the blood to the surface, but not biting.

She wasn't even in game face, though her demon wanted out to play.

She would only do that if and when Willow wanted her to. Until she had the green light, she would wait every time.

/spoils sport/

Willow lifted her head and met Buffy's lust filled gaze.

Keeping their gazes locked, Willow tilted her head to the side, knowing Buffy knew what she wanted.

Buffy's eyes fixed on the pulse beating widely on her Mate's neck, and couldn't stop the demon coming out.

Golden eyes met green unflinchingly.

Willow saw the lust in those eyes. She saw the danger, the passion and the love.

Shuddering, she pulled Buffy to her, gasping as her lovers cool mouth connected with her hot skin.

Buffy licked the skin, bathing the area with her tongue before she eased her fangs in.

Willow gasped and offered more of her neck to Buffy, who only took small pulls of blood, knowing that it was enough for her.

The sensation suddenly changed from pleasure to pain when Buffy's fangs ripped from her neck.

Crying out, Willow fell to the floor, holding onto her neck, trying to stop the blood from flowing.

"Wha'?" Willow looked up to see Giles holding a cross in Buffy's face.

Buffy was growling loudly at him, but her gaze was rooted to Willow, more specifically, the wound she had caused on Willow's neck.

"Will?"

Willow looked at the rage glimmering in Buffy's eyes. Eyes that were golden though her face never changed. she could hear the demon in her lover's voice though and knew it was close to the surface.

Looking over, she saw that Giles hadn't moved, other than to thrust the cross closer to Buffy, who never flinched even though it must have been painful.

"Giles, don't." Willow's voice sounded weak, even to her own ears.

Buffy flinched at the sound and turned a murderous gaze to the Watcher.

"What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Playing. At?" Each word was growled out as Buffy's face slowly changed.

Giles looked from Buffy to Willow.

"You were biting her!"

Willow would have blushed, having been caught in the throws of orgasm by Giles, but she was too sore.

Turns out, that when a vamp isn't being gentle the way Buffy was with her, the bite hurt like hell.

/kill/

Buffy closed her eyes and took a deep breath, not even noticing the irony anymore when she did.

When it all boiled down to it, they didn't trust her.

Angel did.

Faith did, or so she thought.

And she knew that Willow did, with more than just her life.

But the rest? They didn't. To them, she had only been tolerated because of the fight.

Now the fight was over, and she wasn't needed.

/screw them. We have Willow/

Buffy wanted to just believe what her demon was saying. She knew it was true.

Yet, she couldn't help but feel hurt. She had fought with them to save the world. Almost dying in the process, yet Giles turned on her when he thought she was…

She couldn't blame him.

She was a Vampire.

She had been biting Willow.

Giles had saw and thought the worst.

Buffy's eyes snapped open.

"Even now, you think I would hurt her?"

She knew that Giles had to have seen the Mate mark on Willow's neck. He couldn't have missed it.

Giles lowered the cross and Willow moved around him to attach herself to Buffy's side, sighing when the Vampire put a protective arm around her.

Buffy turned her head and looked closely at the wound.

It was raw looking with jagged fang marks.

They would heal in time, and hopefully they wouldn't scar.

"What was I supposed to think? I walk in here, expecting to pour myself some tea, and I see you with your teeth in Willow's neck. Excuse me for jumping to conclusions over the safety of a friend."

Like that, all the anger Buffy felt towards Giles vanished. He was worried about Willow. She could relate.

"We need to get you cleaned up." Buffy led Willow out of the kitchen and into her room, avoiding eye contact.

Willow sat down and raised her hand up to prod around her neck.

"Don't." Buffy caught Willow's hand in her own and pulled it back down before gathering the first aid kit.

Willow grimaced at seeing the disinfectant.

"Couldn't you just…" she trailed off, hoping Buffy would fill in the rest.

Buffy, however, remained clueless.

"Just what?"

Blushing Willow tilted her neck, exposing the wound that still oozed blood.

Comprehension dawned in Buffy's eyes.

"You want me to…even after before, with the pain?" Her voice sounded vulnerable to Willow, which was strange, because she knew Buffy knew how much she liked it.

"Yeah."

Buffy set down the first aid box and sat on the bed beside Willow.

Gently, she cradled her lover's head in her hands and tilted to a better angle that wouldn't hurt Willow.

Leaning in, she allowed her tongue to trace the edge of the wound, licking up the drizzle of blood.

Moving her mouth up, she sealed it over the bite and bathed it, soothing it.

Willow sighed and pulled them both down so they were laying on the bed, Buffy never once breaking contact with Willow's neck as she moved with her.

The Vampire spent a good ten minutes cleaning the wound. When she was satisfied, she pulled back, smiling at Willow's groan of displeasure at the act.

Pulling her lover into her arms, she held her tight, listening as her breathing tapered off, letting the Vampire know Willow was sleeping.

Sliding off the bed, she headed out into the main room to have a word with the Watcher, and anyone else that was there.

Part nineteen

Giles looked up when Xander nudged him.

Buffy was standing in front of the fire, looking at each of them.

Xander shuddered, remembering Buffy sucking the blood off Willow's fingers.

Staring at the four sitting in various places in the main room, Buffy sat calmly on the hearth of the fire.

"We all need to have little chat."

Cordy raised her eyebrow, but never said anything. She didn't have a problem with Buffy. The fact that Willow was now gay, made Cordy feel secure in her relationship with Xander.

Plus, she liked the Vampire. Buffy had fashion sense, but was unaware of it.

Oz's expression never changed, though Buffy got that he was listening.

Giles nodded his head that he agreed.

Xander looked at Buffy. The girl -no Vampire- who was dating his best friend.

Buffy stared at each of them before fixing her gaze on the Watcher.

"You were worried. I get that. I'm happy that you were, it shows that you care about her. But you had to have seen the Mark. You know what it means."

The rest were in the dark about what Buffy was talking about.

Giles hadn't shared what happened in the kitchen with them.

Giles stood up and began pacing, Buffy following him with her eyes.

"Common sense left me. I saw a friend in what I thought was danger and I reacted." There was no apology. Giles didn't regret what he had done. He had thought Willow was in trouble.

Buffy nodded her head that she understood at the same time Cordy asked what was going on.

Giles took off his glasses, polishing them with his handkerchief.

Buffy turned to the brunette.

"Giles saw something he shouldn't have and misinterpreted what was happening." She didn't want to get into that side of her relationship with Willow with anyone.

She was saved when Faith walked in.

"Hey guys." Taking a look at Xander's scowl and Giles ritual glasses cleaning, Faith frowned.

"What's going on?"

Giles slipped into watcher mode.

"I caught Buffy biting Willow and over reacted, got the wrong idea."

Faith's eyes widened. She hadn't thought Willow and Buffy had progressed that far. She hadn't had a chance to really talk to her best friend yet but she could guess what had happened.

She wondered where Buffy put her Mark on Willow's body. Faith's was high up on the inside of her thigh.

"Wow, you Mated?"

Buffy nodded her head just as Xander stood up and began pacing.

He understood what that meant. He had looked up everything he could on Vampire's when Faith had stared dating Angel.

He wanted to know his friend was safe, so he had researched it one night when he had been on Oz duty.

It was actually rare. The Vampire's liked being free from commitment. When they Mated, it was binding. Not even death could break it.

If Willow and Buffy had Mated, well then, there wasn't anything Xander could do.

He did know one thing and that was that Willow would be protected by not only Buffy, but Angel as well.

The clan protected their own.

Suddenly, he smiled, surprising the hell out of Buffy when he turned to her, a grin in place.

Willow would be safe, that was all that mattered.

He sat back down feeling better.

Better about Buffy, better about Willow, and better about himself.

The Vampire thing freaked him out, that wasn't about to change. But if he didn't have to see it, the way he did tonight, then he was cool with it.

"I think that means you have his approval." Cordy nudged his boyfriend and he nodded and wrapped his arm around her.

Buffy frowned. This wasn't what she expected to happen at all.

She expected them to freak out, but not to be so calm about it.

"So your staying then?"

Buffy thought she heard regret in Oz's voice.

"I'm staying." Her voice was firm with no hesitation in it. Almost a challenged.

All he did was nod.

"Damn right you are."

Angel entered, and gave her that smirk she loved, before taking a seat beside his own Mate.

"Where's Willow?"

"I'll let Giles here fill you in while I go check on her."

Buffy left them to it, still not believing that talk had gone the way it did.

Willow was exactly where Buffy had left her, curled up in bed.

Their bed.

That thought made Buffy stop short.

Willow was still a minor. She wouldn't be eighteen for another two months.

How was she going to cope, not being able to wake up with Willow beside her, the way she should always be?

/grab her and run. They'll never find us/

'have I mentioned how helpful you are not being?'

/well, you come up with something then/

Buffy could have sworn her demon was pouting.

Stripping her clothes, she did the same to Willow before putting them both into bed.

She was asleep in no time, snuggled into the warmth of her lover, her life, her Mate.

Her last thought as sleep took her was echoed by her demon.

'Mine'

/Mine/

Iris stared at the bags he had packed.

It was all arranged.

He had to get his daughter away from that monster.

"Is this really necessary? There are other ways to stop Willow dating a girl."

Looking at his wife, he wondered how she had never noticed the world they lived in was not what it appeared to be.

"Yes dear. This is the only way. A fresh start for us all. You'll see, its for the best."

Taking her hand, he led her to the car before going back into the house and grabbing their bags.

He would get his wife somewhere safe and then come back for his daughter.

Part twenty

When they woke again, Willow was lying fully on top of Buffy.

Not that either minded.

Wrapping her arms tighter around her lover, Buffy sighed.

"I could stay like this forever."

Willow hummed her agreement before a loud growl interrupted them.

Buffy looked at the blushing Willow and arched her eyebrow.

"Hungry? When was the last time you ate?"

Seeing Willow actually having to think about the answer told Buffy it was a while ago.

"Come on. We'll feed you and see what the others are doing."

Willow didn't protest. She had meant to eat earlier, but had ended up just having coffee.

They dressed and headed out into the main room, surprised to see everyone still there.

"Hey guys." Willow never got to hear their replies as Buffy dragged her into the kitchen.

Angel got up and followed them, Faith following him.

"So…"

Buffy met her Sire's eyes and wondering why he was hesitating.

"What?"

Faith helped Willow prepare some food and left the Vampire's to talk.

"Mated huh?"

Buffy gave him a cocky smile in answer.

Iris looked at his surroundings.

He liked staying in the best of places, and the Howard Plateau hotel was one of the best.

With its penthouse views, the room he and his wife had booked suited them both down to the ground.

Part one of his plan was complete.

Time to begin part two

Willow walked into the main room and saw Buffy sitting on the couch chatting with Giles.

Buffy looked up and met her eyes, giving her a small smile.

Willow return it and headed over to them, plopping down into Buffy's lap.

"What are you two talking about?" Willow lay her head down on Buffy's shoulder and looked over at Giles.

"Not much, just catching up on the aftermath of the fight."

Willow shivered and held Buffy tighter.

Giles gave them both a smile before standing and making his way to the room he had slept in to gather his things.

Buffy buried her face in Willow's neck, breathing in the comforting scent of her Mate.

Raising her head, she met Willow's lips and the two got lost in the kiss.

Buffy's bedroom door burst open as the two bodies fell through.

Buffy managed to keep them standing but had to break the kiss they were sharing.

Smiling at her lover, she kissed Willow again as they began stumbling towards the bed, tangled in each others arms.

Willow pulled away panting before attacking Buffy's mouth again while tugging at the shirt that hid away her lover's body.

Buffy had already removed Willow's top and had started on her pants.

After removing all the clothes they had on, the two fell to the bed, Buffy crawling on top of Willow and trailing kissing along Willow's jaw to her throat to her collarbone.

"It's been too long since we did this."

Willow decided not to remind Buffy that they had had sex just under two hours ago.

Whimpering and moaning, she watched as Buffy made her way down her body, kissing every bit of skin she could.

When she reached the red curls protecting Willow's core, Buffy stopped and breathed in the aroma of her Mate.

Growling, she separated Willow's wet folds with her tongue, purring at the taste of her lover.

Gasping, Willow reached down and tangled both hands in Buffy's hair, tugging her even closer.

The thought that it was lucky she didn't have to breath, floated through Buffy's mind, but she brushed it off and focused on what she was doing.

After a few minutes of Buffy's mouth on her, Willow came, Buffy's name on her lips.

Buffy brought her down gently and worked her way back up Willow's body before turning them, so Willow was on top.

Lowering her head, Willow kissed Buffy's mouth as she shifted her body so that one of her legs was between both of Buffy's and their bodies were stretched out fully, every inch touching.

"Love you."

Willow smiled and kissed her lover again just as she started rocking her body.

"Love you too."

Buffy's eyes closed as the pleasure washed over her, only to snap open again when she felt Willow stoking her cheek.

"I want to watch you."

Buffy smiled and forced herself to keep her eyes open, loving Willow even more for this one simple, intimate act.

They came within seconds of the other before Willow collapsed into Buffy's waiting arms.

Snuggled together, they fell asleep, each one safe in the knowledge that they were safe.

Part twenty one

Buffy was disturbed by the phone ringing in the main room.

She tried to roll over in bed, but found that the warm weight of Willow was preventing her from moving an inch.

Smiling, she tightened her arms around the girl on top of her, a happy little purr escaping.

Hearing raised voices in the hall outside her room, she frowned before listening in.

"Angel, we have to tell her."

"Faith, forgetting Willow, do you have any idea what Buffy will do if she finds out?"

Buffy growled, wondering what they were talking about, but the sudden smell of arousal had her whipping her head around to look at her Mate.

Even in her sleep, Willow's body reacted to Buffy's.

No matter how much she wanted to wake Willow up with kisses and caresses, she wanted to find out what the threat was first.

Carefully, she lifted Willow off of her, before easing out of bed and grabbing her robe.

Angel and Faith were still outside her room, and both jumped slightly when she came out.

"Talk."

Angel sighed and hoped for the best.

"Willie called. It seems that Willow's father went there and tried to hire someone to kill you."

Buffy raised her eyebrow, that was something she hadn't been expecting.

"So, how many demons do I have after me then?"

Angel smirked, and she was reminded so much of the Angelus of old.

"None. They were all to afraid of what either you or I would do to them."

Buffy gave him her own smirk and turned to go back into the bedroom, back to her Mate.

"Wait, there's more."

Buffy turned back and gave the Slayer and her Sire her full attention.

Faith picked up the story from there.

"He wasn't too happy about that, and left saying something about having to get Will away from you."

Buffy growled and Angel threw Faith a look, as if to say I told you so.

He was about to say something when Buffy's bedroom door opened, and a sleepy Willow walked out.

"What's going on?" She snuggled herself into Buffy's side, and felt the tension running through the Vampire.

"Buff?"

Buffy snapped out of the thoughts her demon was sending her about killing Willow's father.

/he actually thinks we'll let her go?/

"Hey, I thought you were still sleeping."

"I was, but then I rolled over and you weren't there."

Willow pouted and Buffy couldn't resist leaning in to bite at her lower lip.

Turning back to Angel and Faith, Buffy sighed and turned to look at Willow.

She didn't want the girl knowing how far her father was prepared to go.

"Why don't you go back to bed and I'll be there in a second." it wasn't a question.

Willow frowned, before meeting Faith's eyes.

The Slayer gave her a smile, hoping to let her friend know that everything was okay.

Turning back to Buffy, Willow nodded her head and left her, only to be pulled back by the Vampire who wanted a kiss.

Faith and Angel left them to it, knowing Buffy would follow them into the main room as soon as Willow was sorted.

Neither girl noticed. Both were too caught up in the kiss and the arousal Buffy felt earlier returned. She could also smell Willow's.

Growling at not being able to do anything about it yet, Buffy opened her bedroom door and led Willow in, groaning as her lover's hands roamed her body.

"Give me five minutes to talk to Angel and Faith, then I'll be back."

Willow frowned again but nodded her head before lying back on the bed, stretching her arms above her head.

The sight made Buffy moan out loud before shaking her head and leaving the room, determined to find out what the hell Iris thought he was playing at.

"Okay, so what do we know?"

Angel shifted away from Faith a little so he could concentrate.

"One vamp asked him why he wanted you dead, he told him he wanted his daughter back. He if cant get to you, he'll try and take Willow."

Buffy vamped out and kicked out with her foot, breaking the coffee table in two.

"Do we know what he is planning?"

Angel sighed and shook his head.

"Willie had one of his message boys follow him home. Apparently he and Willow's mother packed up and left."

Buffy turned around, and neither were surprised to see golden eyes staring at them.

"So, he takes the wife and leaves, then what? Was he going to come and get Willow and take her away too?" Each word got rougher until they were nothing but growls that only Angel understood.

"We think that's his plan, yes."

Buffy turned and started walking back to her room before a thought struck her.

"Why is Willie being so helpful?"

Again, Angel smirked at her.

"Apparently you scared him."

Buffy never said anything to that and returned to her room. To her Mate.

/tell me you have a plan/

'you know everything I know, everything I think. If I had a plan, you would know it you ass'

/no need to get grouchy/

Buffy shook her head at herself before opening the door and seeing Willow, naked on the bed, fast asleep.

Part twenty two

Iris looked at his wife one last time before leaving the hotel room.

He just knew that if he got that Vampire away from his daughter, then things would go back to normal.

/so, are we telling her or not?/

'I have no idea'

/she needs to be prepared/

'so we tell her then'

/now, wake her up/

'I know where you mind is, if we wake her up, talking will be the last thing on our minds.'

/yeah, I have no problem with that/

Buffy was about to reply, when she noticed Willow looking at her.

"So, what was it saying now?"

/I don't like being referred to as an 'IT'/

Buffy groaned and took off her robe before crawling butt naked onto the bed beside Willow.

"Talk later."

Willow opened her mouth to speak, but Buffy's tongue prevented her from doing so.

Buffy covered Willow as they fell back onto the bed.

Willow groaned at the feeling of Buffy's cool thigh brushing against her heat.

Buffy kissed her gently, nipping at her lover's lips.

Willow gasped and Buffy took the invitation.

Willow tugged Buffy down until their bodies connected, wanting to feel her lover pressing her into the bed.

Buffy continued to kiss Willow as the redhead arched up, trying to touch as much Buffy skin as she could.

Buffy finally drew back from Willow's lips and planted little ones along her cheek and jaw, traveling down to her neck, taking in sweet mouthfuls of flesh, fighting her demon who wanted nothing more than to re-claim its Mate, instead clamping blunt human teeth around her Mark.

Willow whimpered her lover's name and arched up before clutching Buffy to her harder than before.

She sucked the flesh into her mouth and Willow cried out her name yet again, writhing beneath her. Over and over, she dug her blunt teeth into that small piece of skin and then laved it with her tongue. She lost herself in that one part of her Mate's body until she exploded in ecstasy underneath her.

Buffy gave her mark one final lick, before continuing down her lover's body, taking an eon to reach Willow's breasts, causing the redhead to groan with need.

She avoided them at first, kissing around them as she caressed the soft undersides of her lover's breasts.

Finally, she tentatively lapped the tight point of Willow's right breast as her thumb caressed the left and the girl beneath her cried out, pressing herself harder against the Vampire above her. Urged on, Buffy sucked it into her mouth, lashing her tongue over the pebbled nipple for long moments until she moved to the other.

"Buffy…please…"

Buffy paused and looked up at Willow, lust shining through clear in her eyes, surpassed only by the love she felt for the girl beneath her.

"I want to make it last, I want you so much it hurts" she whispered, moving over Willow's ribs, kissing each inch of her torso, taking each patch of flesh into her mouth.

"Love…you" Willow panted as Buffy went lower still.

Buffy smiled at Willow's exposed sex, glistening with her arousal. The fragrance of her lust was intoxicating her intensified Vampiric senses and she groaned in pleasure.

Lowering her mouth to Willow's body, she glanced up at her before focusing herself on tasting and pleasing her Mate.

Willow's mewls of desire grew louder as Buffy's tongue traced the contours of her, lapping at her flesh.

Buffy pressed two fingers into Willow's core and growled in need as her inner muscles clamped down. S

Willow pulled Buffy's head against her tighter as she sucked her swollen flesh into her mouth, nibbling lightly with her human teeth.

As Willow went over the edge, it was with a scream of Buffy's name.

Buffy brought her lover down gently before making her way up Willow's body, kissing her passionately when she reached her mouth.

"I love you." Mumbled words reached Buffy's ears and she had to strain to make them out.

"I love you."

Slipping a leg between both of Willow's, Buffy pulled them so that not even air could come between them.

"God…you're so…love you…"

Buffy smiled at Willow's words, joy filling her dead heart once more.

This time, the wave built slowly, each getting lost in the others eyes.

There was no shouting, screaming or yelling as they fell over the edge, just the two of them, gasping quietly and never breaking eye contact.

As they settled in, Buffy pulled Willow tighter against her, murmuring her love and devotion.

Willow smiled as she drifted off to sleep, sated and in the arms of her lover…her Mate.

Part twenty three

Willow walked into the kitchen, not noticing the looks Xander and Cordy were giving her.

"Why are you guys still here? It's been four days. Shouldn't you have gone home by now?"

"Nah, its better here, even with two vamps now that Spike is gone, than it is at home." Xander didn't feel embarrassed about his home-life anymore. His friends knew about his upbringing.

Cordy gave him a soft smile before turning her attention to Willow.

"My folks are in New York on a house buying trip, something for the summer."

Willow shrugged and poured herself a glass of juice.

"Where's Buffy?"

Unknowingly, Willow smiled at the mention of the blonde.

"She's still sleeping."

Cordy smirked, and Willow winced.

"Yeah, we heard all the late night activities, she must be tired what with all the screaming."

Willow blushed but then caught sight of Buffy in the doorway.

"Well, what can I say? She's just 'that' good."

As Cordy's mouth dropped open, Willow moved to greet her lover with a kiss, that stopped only when Xander cleared his throat.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Buffy, Angel said he wanted to see you when you got up."

Buffy turned and nuzzled her face into her lover's neck, placing a little kiss on her Mark, loving the shiver that raced through Willow's body at the contact.

"Finish breakfast. I'll be back in a bit."

Willow pouted but kissed Buffy as she left, turning a happy smile to her two friends.

"Iris is back in Sunnydale."

Buffy sat down on the edge of Angel's bed, facing the Slayer and her Sire.

"How do we know this?"

"The same way we found out the rest. I told Willie to keep an eye on things and report back to me if anything happened."

"And now he's back." Buffy sighed and leaned back on her arms, making sure she was covered by her robe at the same time.

"What are we going to do about this?"

Angel nor Faith had no answer for her.

"What did Will say?"

Buffy lowered her eyes, giving Faith her answer.

"You haven't told her yet? Jesus Buffy, don't you think she should know?"

Looking up, Buffy had no idea that her eyes had turned golden, but Angel and Faith noticed.

"Yes. And I will tell her."

Angel sighed and rubbed at his head.

"Buffy, have you thought about letting him take her I mean-"

He was cut off by the loud growl and the pissed off game faced Vampire that stood before him.

"She is MY Mate!"

Angel raised his hands in defence.

"Hear me out, she's eighteen soon, then she wouldn't need to stay with her parents."

Buffy growled at him and took a step closer, not flinching when the Slayer moved into a defensive position.

"No. Find another way."

Angel sighed and looked to his Mate, knowing that if it was her on the line, he would react the same as Buffy had.

"Go and tell Willow and see what she thinks."

Buffy took a deep, though unneeded, breath and let her game face melt away.

"Hey Will?"

Willow turned at the sound of Buffy's voice, a big smile on her face.

It fell off when she noticed the expression on Buffy's face.

"What's wrong?"

Buffy closed her eyes before opening them again and meeting Willow's.

"We need to talk."

Holding out her hand, Buffy waited until Willow took it before leading her back to their bedroom.

She closed the door behind them and watched as Willow settled herself on the bed.

"So, what's this about then?"

If Buffy couldn't hear the nervousness in her lover's voice, she could smell it coming off the other girl in waves.

Crossing to the bed, she sat down beside her Mate and wrapped an arm around her, smiling when Willow snuggled into her embrace.

"I need to tell you something. Something that I should have told you as soon as I found out."

Willow looked up and met her lover's eyes.

"Just tell me."

Buffy tightened her grip on Willow's hand, and pulled the unresisting girl closer.

"It's about your dad."

Willow drew back at this, but Buffy pulled her back into her arms, not giving an inch.

"He went to Willie's and tried to get someone there to kill me-"

"He wouldn't!"

Buffy shook her head sadly at her lover.

"He did Will, and when that didn't work…He's planning to take you away from me."

Buffy vamped out before getting her emotions under control.

There. She had said it.

The demon inside her was screaming to reclaim its Mate and then to take her away where no-one would ever find them.

Willow pulled away from Buffy, which was hard to do considering the Vampire really didn't want to let her go.

Standing, she walked to the covered window, realising at the last minute that she couldn't pull back the heavy drapes open for a reason.

She needed out of here, she needed some fresh air.

If what Buffy had told her was true, and she just knew it was, then her own father had wanted to kill the person she was in love with, and to separate them.

She wondered if it was because Buffy was a demon, or because she was a girl.

"Where are you going?"

Buffy stood up to block Willow's exit.

Willow looked up, and only just realised that she had even moved.

"I need to go for a walk."

Buffy shook her head no.

"Willow, he wants you away from me. I'm not risking him taking you during the day, where he knows I can't protect you." Nothing was taking Willow from her.

When Willow had first fallen out with her family, Buffy was all for a reconciliation, but not if it meant that Willow would be gone from her life completely.

That was unacceptable to the Vampire.

"I'm only going for a walk, I'll be fine."

Unless she used force, Buffy couldn't stop Willow from going, and Willow was pretty sure that Buffy wouldn't use force against her.

She was wrong. To keep her Mate with her, Buffy would do whatever she needed to.

Part twenty four

As Willow went to move around Buffy, the Vampire blocked her path.

"Buffy…"

Buffy shook her head no. She wasn't letting Willow out of her sight.

Willow blew out a frustrated breath and tried again to get around her lover.

"Damnit Buffy! Let me out."

Willow locked eyes with her lover, and for once, she lost the staring contest.

"You're not going anywhere without me. It's not safe."

Willow looked at her like she had two heads.

"He's my father! No matter how much he wants me away from you, he's not going to hurt me!"

Buffy drew back as if Willow had slapped her.

Would it not hurt if they were separated?

Everything inside her was screaming at her to keep Willow with her.

When Buffy realized her arm had moved of its own accord and that she was gripping Willow's arm tight enough to cause the girl to wince, Buffy pulled back.

Turning her back on her lover, Buffy's voice sounded hollow when she spoke.

"Fine. Go. But take one of the others with you."

The only answer she got was the closing of the door.

/Damnit! You always mess up/

'you do realize what we did right?'

/she is our Mate. It happens/

'not to her. She's not some vamp whore you can boss around'

/especially considering I'm not in control/

'my point is, we hurt her – I hurt her'

That was why she had to let her leave.

She couldn't risk hurting the girl, anymore than she just had.

Willow looked at Xander out of the corner of her eye.

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

Xander shrugged before really looking at his best friend. Sighing, he steered her over to a bench and sat her down, kneeling down in front of her.

"Your doing what you feel is right, Buffy will understand that. She may not like it, but she'll understand."

He turned to look at the man approaching them.

"That, or she'll kill me for helping you do this."

Willow looked up as the man sat down beside her.

"Hi Dad."

Buffy hadn't left her room since Willow left, and that was two hours ago.

Angel had dropped in to let her know that Xander had went with Willow, and to bring her some food.

Looking at the bed that still held the scent or her lover on it, Buffy sighed.

/stop brooding/

Buffy ignored her demon and lifted the now cold blood to her lips, taking a sip and wincing at the coldness of it.

/if you had let me eat when he first brought it, it wouldn't taste half as bad as it does now/

Buffy abruptly stood up.

She couldn't take sitting around and doing nothing.

Leaving her room, she made her way to the basement, to the full gym Angel had there.

She had been taking all her anger out on the punching bag for about thirty minutes when she felt his presence.

"Buffy."

Buffy stopped the bag and turned to face her Sire.

"Yeah?"

"What's going on?"

Buffy looked away from him and shrugged her shoulders.

"Nothing."

Growling at his childe, Angel stalked over to her and gave the bag a half hearted punch.

"I've never seen Willow move as fast as she did today when she was leaving. What happened?"

He was unprepared for the tears she saw cursing down Buffy cheeks.

"I told her about her dad, she freaked, I freaked, she left."

Angel frowned and squatted down until they were eye level.

"How did you freak?"

The shame in Buffy's eyes had him worried.

"Buffy, what did you do?"

"I hurt her."

Angel cursed and moved away from her.

"Damnit Buffy. Was she okay? She never stopped to talk to anyone, just ran out, Xander running after her."

"It doesn't matter. I hurt her."

Angel just shook his head at her and wrapped her up in a hug.

They were interrupted by Xander calling for Buffy.

Buffy was off up the stairs like a shot.

"Where's Will?" There was no mistaking the worry in her voice.

Xander looked uncomfortable and it made Buffy tense, even more so when he moved closer to Faith.

"She's talking with her dad."

It if could have been possible, Buffy could have swore she felt her heart lurch in her chest.

With dead calm she walked up to Xander and stretched to look him in the eye.

"Would you please repeat that."

Xander gulped and repeated what he had said.

A million thoughts ran through Buffy's head, the main one being that she was going to lose Willow.

Willow watched the man across from her as he fidgeted with his coffee cup.

"Dad, why? Just tell me why."

Iris raised his head, and Willow didn't recognize the man that had raised her.

"It's obvious why. Do you know how society treats people like you?"

Willow drew back as if he had hit her.

"People like me? You mean because I happen to be in love with another girl?"

Iris banged the table top, causing a few other costumers to look over in their direction.

"You are not in love with that thing! Never mind that it is a girl, Willow, it is a Vampire."

Willow stood up and stared her father out, her resolve face firmly in place.

"Buffy is not an It. Until you can learn to accept her in my life, I don't want you in it."

Iris stood up to protest but the look his daughter sent him made him stop.

"You are my father. You're supposed to love me no matter who I choose to be, or who I choose to be with."

She waited, hoping for some sort of sign that he did love her, no matter what.

Tears slipped from her eyes as she backed away.

"Call me when you grow up."

She turned and fled, leaving a stunned father behind.

Buffy was pacing. She had been for the last hour and it was driving those present crazy.

Angel was about to put a stop to it, when Buffy's head snapped up and she moved towards the garden doors, mindful of the suns rays.

A second later, a redhead flew into her arms, sobbing and clinging on as if her life depended on it.

Buffy lifted her Mate up and began a gentle purr s she made the way back to their room.

Buffy kicked the door closed and carried her bundle to the bed, easing them both down gently.

"Baby, talk to me. What happened?"

All she got in reply was more sobs.

Pulling Willow with her, Buffy lay down and spooned against her Mate, her purr becoming louder.

After a half hour, Willow's breathing changed, letting Buffy know that she was asleep.

Looking up as the door opened, she let out a warning growl, not wanting anyone to intrude on them just yet.

Angel poked his head around the door, but took heed of her warning and didn't enter.

"Is she okay?"

Buffy shook her head no.

"Can I get you anything?"

Again, she shook her head no.

Seeing that he wasn't going to get more than that, he left them alone and went to join his own Mate.

Buffy curled herself tighter around her Mate, smiling as Willow snuggled into her.

Finally, Buffy closed her eyes, thanking whatever higher power led her to Willow.

Part twenty five

Buffy was woken up a while later by Willow's sobs.

Pulling her lover to her tighter, Buffy rocked her as she whispered words of love into Willow's ear.

This went on for ten minutes before Willow finally stopped crying and sat up.

"Are you mad at me?"

Even if she was, Buffy couldn't stay mad when Willow used that little girl's voice of hers.

"No baby, though I wish you had of told me what you were planning."

Willow sniffled and buried her face into Buffy's neck.

"It wasn't planned. I was walking with Xander and spotted a phone box. I called his cell phone."

Buffy dropped a kiss onto Willow's head.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Willow sighed and pulled Buffy's arm tighter around her own body.

"I talked, he yelled, I yelled then I left."

Buffy tsked and rubbed Willow's arm, as if she was trying to bring heat to it.

"Will…"

Willow sighed.

"Fine. I asked him about wanting you dead, he didn't even try to deny it. He said it was what any father would do. I asked him about wanting to take me away and he told me all I had to do was leave with him. Him and mom are staying in a hotel but apparently they have bought a house in L.A. They really want me away from you."

Buffy growled as her face changed, the demon hating that thought just as much as the soul. Willow didn't notice the change, but she heard the growl.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

"Damn right your not."

Willow smiled and carried on with her story.

"I told him that parents were supposed to love their kids not matter what, but he couldn't love me for me, as long I as was in love with a girl. The fact that you're a Vampire isn't what's bothering him. Its that you're a girl."

Buffy heard the sadness in her Mate's voice and cursed her father.

Closing her eyes, Willow continued, Buffy wrapped around her.

Buffy lay still, her body wrapped around Willow's, as she listened to her lover breathe.

Hearing a nose, she looked over to see Angel come in.

"Is she okay?"

Buffy shook her head no, leaning down to kiss Willow's temple.

He looked between Buffy and the door, before making his mind up about something and walking over to sit on the bed.

Buffy felt the urge to growl and pull Willow closer to her, but contained herself. Her more basic instincts were showing themselves more and more when it came to Willow.

Angel gave her a look as if knowing what she was thinking.

"Ever since we let them out, he's been testing me."

Her Sire certainly didn't waste time.

"Testing how?" She didn't need to ask who he was talking about.

"Just little things, but I wanted to know how you deal with it."

Buffy gave him a look then checked to make sure Willow was still sleeping.

"Faith?"

Angel nodded his head.

Buffy smiled and reached out to squeeze his hand.

"Don't worry, I'm like that with Willow, both sides of me."

Angel figured that was true, but he didn't want Angelus anywhere near Faith. He knew first hand what he was capable of.

It was funny how they were so different, yet so alike, Buffy thought as she looked at her Sire.

"Have you talked to her about it?"

Angel shook his head no.

"She knows something was off with me the other day, but I haven't told her what happened."

Buffy looked at him before looking down at Willow, then back at her Sire.

"You need to tell her, you can't not. God knows what she is thinking right now, you need to talk to her."

Angel sighed and closed his eyes.

"I agree with Buffy."

Both Vampires looked down at the redhead, a soft smile coming to Buffy's face.

Angel smiled and stood up uttering a quiet goodbye to the two on the bed.

Buffy's full attention was on her Mate.

"Hungry?"

Willow shook her head no before looking at Buffy.

"You?"

She was, but if Willow wasn't leaving their bed, neither was she.

"No, I'm good for a while."

Willow just looked at her and Buffy caved.

"Fine, yes. Wait here, I'll be right back."

Buffy untangled herself from the warm body on the bed and stood up, stretching her stiff muscles.

"Wait." Willow reached out and grabbed Buffy's hand before she could fully leave the bed.

"What?"

Willow blushed and pulled Buffy back to the bed.

Buffy started shaking her head no.

"I've already took too much in a short time. Pigs blood will do."

Shaking her head at her pouting Mate, Buffy headed into the kitchen to heat herself some blood.

"What's your plans for tonight?"

Buffy looked over at Angel, wondering why he wasn't with Faith.

He read the question on her face.

"She left early to patrol, I'll tell her later."

Buffy nodded at him before asking if he wanted some food heated up.

"Sure."

Turning, Buffy sat and waited on the microwave to heat their blood and spotted Xander sitting in front of the fireplace, reading a comic.

"Does he live here now?"

Angel looked where Buffy was looking and shrugged.

"There's enough room here, and from what I gather off Faith, his home life isn't the best."

"Full house, we may have to start keeping human hours again."

Angel smirked, and Buffy swore she saw a glimpse of Angelus in that smirk.

"Anyway, tonight I'm taking Willow for a walk down at the beach, let the sea air clear her head."

Angel took the mugs out of the microwave which had just dinged.

"How is she?"

Buffy sighed and accepted her food.

"It's going to take time, and I don't think that her father is going to stop trying to take her away from me."

"What are you going to do about that?"

Buffy shrugged.

"Take her away where he can't find her." It might have been selfish, but Buffy wanted Willow with her, for as long as she could have her.

"I and would go."

Both vampires turned to see Willow come in, dressed in her robe.

Buffy held out her hand and shifted in her chair to accommodate Willow.

Angel drained his cup and stood up.

"I think I'll go and find Faith, have that little chat with her, then maybe sort out things with Xander."

Willow looked between Buffy and Angel, knowing she was missing something.

Buffy smiled at the look of confusion that caused a little pout to form on Willow's face, and suddenly getting away somewhere seemed like the best idea ever.

"How about we take a trip, go away somewhere?"

Willow's grin was answer enough.

They didn't know what was going to happen in the near future, what Willow's father was going to do next, but they knew that they would get through it.

They were bonded Mate's after all, and nothing could tear them apart, not even death.

The End

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